In Santiago de Cuba, a palpable sense of tension and anxiety pervades the air as Hurricane Melissa's imminent impact looms. Young people from several neighborhoods are working tirelessly to secure their homes using sandbags, stones, and makeshift reinforcements.
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada reported on this unfolding situation. On his Facebook profile, he shared images from various parts of the city, depicting entire families striving to safeguard their homes against a storm predicted to be one of the most formidable to threaten eastern Cuba in recent years.
“Young residents of Santiago are securing their roofs with sandbags,” Mayeta wrote, highlighting the determination of those who, despite having limited resources and facing relentless rain, are making every effort to withstand the cyclone's passage.
While local authorities attempt to manage the growing alarm, neighbors are organizing themselves as best they can to protect their homes and belongings. In some communities, young people are assisting elderly residents and single mothers by moving possessions, securing windows, or reinforcing corrugated roofs with bags filled with sand or stones.
The eastern region of Cuba is preparing for one of the harshest storms of the last decade, with intense rainfall, winds exceeding 124 miles per hour, and tidal surges that could inflict severe damage on low-lying areas.
“Wherever Melissa passes, it will leave a mark that time won't easily erase,” the journalist wrote in his post, which also included a plea for solidarity: “Send us your images of how you are protecting your home or helping your neighbors. Remember the elderly, single mothers, and vulnerable families.”
Hurricane Melissa, currently classified as a Category 4 storm, continues its path through the Caribbean with sustained winds of 137 miles per hour. It is expected to hit eastern Cuba between Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, according to the latest meteorological forecasts.
In Santiago de Cuba, where the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy are still remembered 13 years later, today's scenes are a blend of fear, desperation, and resilience. The community, without waiting for official instructions, is striving to protect what little they have before the hurricane strikes.
As a result, 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 looming danger of Hurricane Melissa, which poses a significant threat to the eastern part of the country.
Preparing for Hurricane Melissa: Key Questions and Answers
What measures are residents of Santiago de Cuba taking to prepare for Hurricane Melissa?
Residents are using sandbags, stones, and makeshift reinforcements to secure their homes, particularly roofs and windows, in anticipation of the hurricane's impact.
How are local authorities responding to the threat of Hurricane Melissa?
Local authorities are working to manage the alarm and prepare for potential damage, while also issuing warnings to residents to take necessary precautions.
What is the expected impact of Hurricane Melissa on eastern Cuba?
Hurricane Melissa is expected to bring intense rainfall, high winds, and tidal surges, posing a significant threat to low-lying areas and potentially causing severe damage.