Hurricane Melissa struck eastern Cuba early Wednesday, unleashing 193 kph winds near Chivirico in Santiago de Cuba province. The Category 3 storm arrived after tearing through Jamaica as one of the Atlantic’s strongest recorded hurricanes.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Cuba evacuated more than 700,000 people, including over half a million from high-risk zones. Forecasters warned of storm surges up to 3.6 meters and rainfall reaching 51 centimeters across eastern regions.
The hurricane was expected to sweep across Cuba through Wednesday morning before moving into the Bahamas later in the day. Meteorologists warned that persistent rainfall could trigger deadly floods and landslides. The U.S. National Hurricane Center also issued a hurricane watch for Bermuda.
Cuba Faces Rising Fears Over Economic Fallout
As Hurricane Melissa ravaged Cuba, officials expressed concern that the storm could deepen the island’s severe economic crisis. Power shortages, food scarcity, and weakened infrastructure already strain the country’s resources.
“There will be a lot of work to do,” Díaz-Canel said in a televised address. “We know there will be significant damage. No one will be left behind, and no resources will be spared to protect lives.”
The president urged citizens not to underestimate the storm, calling it “the strongest ever to hit our national territory.” Authorities suspended classes in all provinces from Guantánamo to Camagüey to protect students and staff.
Cuban officials also warned that rebuilding efforts could take months, with much of the eastern coast already facing widespread power outages and communication breakdowns.
Jamaica Begins Recovery as Caribbean Death Toll Rises
While Cuba faced the storm’s full force, Jamaica began assessing the damage from Melissa’s earlier onslaught. Deputy Chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council, Desmond McKenzie, reported severe flooding in Clarendon and St. Elizabeth, describing parts of the southern region as “under water.”
The hurricane damaged four hospitals, leaving one without power and forcing the evacuation of 75 patients. By late Tuesday, more than 500,000 Jamaican customers remained without electricity after trees and power lines collapsed across the island.
Officials planned to reopen airports by Thursday to speed up relief distribution and restore critical supplies.
Across the Caribbean, authorities confirmed at least seven deaths — three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic — with another person missing.
As Melissa continues toward the Bahamas, emergency crews across the region brace for renewed flooding, landslides, and the long road to recovery after one of the most powerful hurricanes in recent history.
