In anticipation of the impending arrival of Hurricane Melissa, Guantánamo is set to evacuate 139,000 individuals. A significant portion of these evacuees, approximately 108,000, will seek refuge in the homes of relatives and friends.
According to state-controlled media, there are plans to utilize 83 food preparation centers and 69 schools as evacuation centers.
In Baracoa, 10,000 residents will remain evacuated due to recent rainfall impacting mountain roads, sewage systems, and the area's main bridge.
In Maisí, the collapse of the Boca de Jauco bridge has restricted land access to the municipality.
"We still have time to get ready," stated Yoel Pérez García, a provincial PCC leader.
The Growing Threat of Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa is intensifying over the warm waters of the Caribbean, posing a direct threat to eastern Cuba. The storm, which rapidly intensified on Saturday night, has reached Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale with sustained winds of 220 kilometers per hour and even stronger gusts.
Meteorologists have noted that Melissa maintains a well-defined eye, indicating its high level of organization and energy concentration at its center.
As of 6:00 a.m., the hurricane was located at 16.3 degrees North latitude and 76.4 degrees West longitude, positioning it 180 kilometers south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 415 kilometers south of Santiago de Cuba.
Moving slowly westward at a speed of 7 kilometers per hour, Melissa remains over very warm waters, allowing it to maintain its high intensity. Experts predict the system will gradually turn northward and northeastward between Monday and Tuesday, posing a significant threat to eastern Cuba.
Impact on Eastern Cuba
The latest TVC weather report displayed satellite images showing the hurricane spreading extensive cloud cover over the central and eastern Caribbean, with its outer bands already affecting Camagüey and the eastern provinces of Cuba.
Meteorological authorities have warned that the system's moisture and feeding bands will cause showers, rain, and thunderstorms throughout the day, especially in the eastern part of the country.
In the southern coastal areas of the eastern provinces, swells are expected to escalate to high waves as the hurricane nears.
Northeast winds, ranging from 15 to 30 kilometers per hour with stronger gusts in coastal areas, are anticipated to generate waves along the northern and southern shores of western and central Cuba, creating adverse conditions in the east.
Meteorologists have cautioned that the hurricane's slow movement and large size make it a potentially devastating threat to eastern Cuba, where preventive measures and evacuations are already underway.
The Cuban Institute of Meteorology has issued a warning regarding the imminent strong swells in the southern seas of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo due to the proximity of Hurricane Melissa, which has reached Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
According to the latest tropical cyclone advisory No. 12 from the Forecast Center, the meteorological phenomenon has undergone rapid intensification recently, with sustained winds of 220 kilometers per hour and a central pressure of 944 hectoPascals.
Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in Santiago de Cuba and president of the Provincial Defense Council, issued a warning on Sunday about the imminent danger posed by Hurricane Melissa, which threatens to have a devastating impact on eastern Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hurricane Melissa and Guantánamo Evacuations
What preparations are being made in Guantánamo for Hurricane Melissa?
Guantánamo is preparing to evacuate 139,000 people, with 108,000 staying with family and friends. Additionally, 83 food centers and 69 schools are designated as evacuation centers.
How has Hurricane Melissa intensified?
Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified, reaching Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with sustained winds of 220 kilometers per hour and a well-defined eye.
What areas of Cuba are most at risk from Hurricane Melissa?
Eastern Cuba, including Baracoa and Maisí, is most at risk due to the hurricane's projected path and potential for severe weather conditions.