Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in Santiago de Cuba and the President of the Provincial Defense Council, announced today that efforts are underway to evacuate 258,573 individuals in the province. This precaution comes as Hurricane Melissa is expected to bring severe rainfall and flooding.
During a teleconference at the expanded meeting of the National Defense Council, led by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Johnson emphasized the focus on the coastal municipality of Guamá and the safety of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and Protesta de Baraguá reservoirs.
Earlier on Sunday, Johnson issued a warning about the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Melissa, which could have a catastrophic impact on the eastern part of the island.
She detailed that local authorities are actively working to safeguard essential resources and relocate residents from high-risk areas to safer locations, in collaboration with the Provincial Defense Council.
Johnson also called for solidarity in the face of danger and urged the public to exercise caution and not underestimate the hurricane's force.
According to the latest report from the Forecast Center of the Institute of Meteorology, Hurricane Melissa remains a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with maximum sustained winds of 220 km/h and higher gusts. The hurricane is moving at approximately six kilometers per hour towards the west.
The forecast suggests that by Tuesday, the storm will slowly progress west-northwest, positioning itself near or over the southern coast of Jamaica. It is then expected to shift northward and subsequently northeast.
The provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo should remain on high alert due to the intense sea swells already affecting the southeastern coastline.
Key Details About Hurricane Melissa
How many people are being evacuated in Santiago de Cuba due to Hurricane Melissa?
Approximately 258,573 individuals are being evacuated in Santiago de Cuba as a precaution against Hurricane Melissa.
What is the current category and speed of Hurricane Melissa?
Hurricane Melissa is classified as a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with maximum sustained winds of 220 km/h and moving at a speed of six kilometers per hour.
Which areas are at highest risk from Hurricane Melissa?
The coastal municipality of Guamá and the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo are at high risk due to potential flooding and sea swells.