The National Civil Defense Staff announced a Hurricane Warning on Monday for the provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Granma, Las Tunas, and Camagüey due to the impending approach of Hurricane Melissa, which has intensified to a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
According to Information Note No. 3, released on the official Facebook page of Civil Defense, the hurricane has continued to strengthen, with sustained winds reaching 260 kilometers per hour and even stronger gusts, while its central pressure has dropped to 917 hectopascals.
Currently, Melissa is moving westward at a speed of six kilometers per hour, and it is anticipated to make a turn towards the north and northeast within the next 24 hours, moving over the seas near Jamaica and approaching Cuban territory from the southern part of the eastern region.
The organization has cautioned that weather conditions will progressively worsen in the eastern provinces beginning Monday night, urging residents to stay informed through official channels and to strictly follow the directives of local authorities.
Provinces Prepare for Potential Impact
Additionally, Civil Defense has placed the provinces of Ciego de Ávila and Sancti Spíritus under a Hurricane Alert, while regions such as Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Matanzas, Mayabeque, Havana, Artemisa, Pinar del Río, and the Special Municipality of Isla de la Juventud have been instructed to activate their defense councils in a reduced capacity.
Authorities Brace for Severe Weather
The Meteorology Institute and the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources are closely monitoring this powerful hurricane, which has the potential to become one of the most intense storms to impact the Caribbean in recent years.
Cuba's Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, confirmed on Monday that crews of lineworkers are already prepared to undertake the restoration of the electric system in the eastern part of the country following Hurricane Melissa's passage.
The fierce cyclone has already triggered heavy rainfall and sudden flooding in eastern Cuba, with authorities warning about the threat of landslides, storm surges, and high-intensity winds. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), rainfall in eastern Cuba could become "potentially catastrophic" starting Monday, with precipitation exceeding 300 millimeters and life-threatening wind gusts.
Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the first secretary of the Communist Party 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 the eastern part of the country.
Key FAQs on Hurricane Melissa's Impact on Cuba
What areas are under the Hurricane Warning in Cuba?
The provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Granma, Las Tunas, and Camagüey are under a Hurricane Warning due to Hurricane Melissa.
What are the expected conditions as Hurricane Melissa approaches?
Hurricane Melissa is expected to bring deteriorating weather conditions, including strong winds, heavy rainfall, and possible flooding and landslides in the eastern provinces of Cuba.
How are Cuban authorities preparing for Hurricane Melissa?
Cuban authorities have issued warnings, activated defense councils, and prepared lineworker brigades for recovery efforts in anticipation of the hurricane's impact.