Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel announced on Saturday that the regime's officials are maintaining "constant communication" with Communist Party provincial leaders in areas at risk of direct impact from Hurricane Melissa, which has escalated to a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
"We remain in constant contact with the Party's first secretaries in the provinces expected to be hit by Melissa. We are working hard. Every detail must be anticipated; then, we will immediately move to recovery. With unity, we'll overcome this," Díaz-Canel stated on X.
His prediction of "overcoming with unity" was met with skepticism by many Cubans, given the country's critically poor infrastructure and the dire conditions faced by millions of families as the formidable cyclone approaches.
Melissa: A Threatening Hurricane Heading Towards Eastern Cuba
The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), based in Miami, has warned that Hurricane Melissa is packing maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h), classifying it as an extremely dangerous storm.
As of 5:00 am on Sunday, the hurricane's center was located at latitude 16.3 North and longitude 76.3 West, approximately 195 kilometers southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 450 kilometers southwest of Guantánamo. It was moving slowly westward at 7 km/h.
Forecasts suggest that Melissa will turn north and northeast between Monday and Tuesday, potentially making landfall in Jamaica between those days and then directly impacting eastern Cuba between Tuesday night and early Wednesday, maintaining significant intensity.
Cuba's Vulnerability Amidst the Storm
Even before Melissa's arrival, Cuba's situation is exceedingly precarious. Reports from several eastern provinces highlight deteriorating housing, a lack of stored food, scarce potable water, and prolonged power outages, exacerbating the outlook as the cyclone approaches.
Social media users have pointed out that families in eastern Cuba "are neither prepared nor organized" to face the hurricane, especially after enduring prolonged periods without electricity or communication.
Since Friday, low-lying and coastal areas have experienced flooding, heightening fears that Melissa's impact could be catastrophic.
While Díaz-Canel continues to assert that "unity" will allow Cubans to face this new natural challenge, many citizens view his message as hollow rhetoric, given the state's failure to provide basic resources and adequate infrastructure to withstand a high-intensity hurricane.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hurricane Melissa and Cuba's Preparedness
What is the current status of Hurricane Melissa?
Hurricane Melissa is a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph, making it extremely dangerous.
How is Cuba preparing for Hurricane Melissa?
Cuban authorities claim to be in constant communication with provincial leaders and emphasize the importance of unity, though many citizens doubt the government's preparedness due to infrastructure issues and resource shortages.
What areas are expected to be most affected by Hurricane Melissa?
The eastern part of Cuba is expected to be heavily impacted by the hurricane, following its potential course through Jamaica and towards Cuba.