Hurricane Melissa struck eastern Cuba early Wednesday with sustained winds of 193 kilometres per hour, causing widespread destruction and severe flooding. The Category 3 storm made landfall near Chivirico, in Santiago de Cuba province, after devastating Jamaica on its path through the Caribbean.
Cuban authorities evacuated more than 700,000 residents ahead of the storm. President Miguel Díaz-Canel said over half a million people had already reached safety shelters. Forecasters warned that Melissa would unleash storm surges up to 3.6 metres and drop as much as 51 centimetres of rain.
The hurricane is expected to cross Cuba by midday before heading toward the Bahamas later on Wednesday. US meteorologists warned of life-threatening floods and multiple landslides as rain continues to fall heavily across eastern Cuba. A hurricane watch remains active for Bermuda.
Cuba Braces for Economic Fallout After Landfall
The storm’s impact threatens to worsen Cuba’s ongoing economic crisis, already marked by food and power shortages. Díaz-Canel addressed the nation, pledging that “no one will be left behind and no resources will be spared to protect lives.” He admitted, “There will be a lot of work to do. We know there will be significant damage.”
The president urged citizens to remain vigilant and not underestimate Hurricane Melissa, describing it as “the strongest ever to strike our national territory.” Authorities suspended classes across multiple provinces, including Guantánamo and Camagüey, as emergency crews prepared for recovery operations.
Officials expect severe damage to power infrastructure, agriculture, and transportation systems, deepening the island’s economic strain. Government agencies remain on high alert to restore critical services once the storm passes.
Jamaica Begins Recovery Efforts After Severe Damage
As Cuba faced landfall, Jamaica began assessing damage from Melissa’s earlier impact. Government officials deployed response teams on Wednesday to survey affected areas. Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council, confirmed extensive flooding in Clarendon and St. Elizabeth, where entire communities were submerged.
Four hospitals suffered heavy damage, and one lost power, forcing the evacuation of 75 patients. Over half a million Jamaicans remain without electricity, as crews continue to remove fallen trees and repair power lines.
Authorities hope to reopen Jamaica’s airports by Thursday to accelerate the distribution of emergency aid. The hurricane has already caused seven confirmed deaths across the Caribbean — three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic — while another person remains missing.
With Cuba now in the storm’s path and the Bahamas bracing next, the Caribbean faces one of its most destructive hurricane events in recent years.
