Yoel Pérez García, head of the Provincial Defense Council and a key leader of the PCC in Guantánamo, has called for a "community movement" to safeguard roofs, doors, and windows of homes and institutions in light of the looming threat posed by Hurricane Melissa.
According to messages shared on official social media channels, this official emphasizes solidarity as the "main strategy" to mitigate the hurricane's impact.
The directive also involves establishing food and water reserves in each municipality and prioritizing sanitation services and medical care before, during, and after the hurricane, as per the official statement released in the province.
The plan includes a large-scale evacuation with two options: 108,000 individuals will stay with family and friends, while another 36,000 will find refuge in schools repurposed for this emergency in Guantánamo.
This appeal highlights community self-protection and the ability of residents to secure their properties and stock essentials, without detailing any specific material reinforcements, timelines for roof repairs, or large-scale state resource distribution.
This focus on community self-organization and protection underscores a recurring contrast during emergencies: while authorities stress social responsibility and solidarity, there is a growing expectation for the State to provide citizens with means, logistics, and sustained structural solutions.
Parallel to community readiness, Civil Defense stresses that maintaining clean environments and access to medical services is crucial to prevent outbreaks and health issues after the heavy rains, while reiterating the necessity of securing water and food in homes and temporary shelters.
Hurricane Melissa continues to gather strength in the Caribbean, now reaching maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour, according to the latest update from the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The NHC warned on Saturday that the system "is beginning a rapid intensification process" and may escalate to a major hurricane in the coming hours, as it dangerously approaches Jamaica and eastern Cuba.
The NHC located the cyclone's center at 16.6 degrees north and 75.5 west, about 210 kilometers southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 405 kilometers southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, moving slowly westward at 6 km/h.
Key Insights on Hurricane Melissa and Community Preparation
What measures are being taken in Guantánamo ahead of Hurricane Melissa?
Authorities are encouraging a community movement to secure roofs, doors, and windows. They are also focusing on creating food and water reserves, prioritizing sanitation services, and ensuring medical care before, during, and after the hurricane.
How many people are expected to be evacuated in Guantánamo?
Approximately 144,000 people are planned to be evacuated, with 108,000 staying with family and friends and 36,000 taking shelter in schools designated for this purpose in Guantánamo.
What is the current status of Hurricane Melissa?
Hurricane Melissa is intensifying rapidly in the Caribbean, with sustained winds of 150 km/h. It is expected to become a major hurricane soon, posing a threat to Jamaica and eastern Cuba.