The initial glimpses emerging from Palma Soriano, a municipality in Santiago de Cuba, paint a harrowing picture of utter devastation in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.
Storm surges hit the shores of Chivirico in Guamá municipality early Wednesday morning, as the hurricane made landfall as a Category 3. It wreaked havoc on homes, power lines, and local infrastructure across several cities in Santiago, with Palma Soriano suffering the brunt of the damage, positioned perilously on the most intense side of the cyclone's eye.
José Batista Falcón, a local resident, took to Facebook to share a series of photographs laying bare the extensive destruction in the region.
"More images of the disaster caused by Melissa in Palma Soriano, Santiago," he captioned, with his post quickly gaining traction online.
The images reveal streets submerged under water, trees uprooted, power lines toppled, and rooftops torn off by ferocious winds.
Locals in the area recounted the ordeal as "a night of terror," with many spending hours in shelters as the hurricane unleashed its fury.
Preliminary reports indicate that Hurricane Melissa made a direct impact along the southern coast of Santiago de Cuba, near Uvero and Chivirico, before sweeping northward with formidable intensity. Santiago found itself on the hurricane's right side, notorious for its destructive winds and storm surges.
The storm barreled ashore with sustained winds surpassing 200 kilometers per hour, leading to partial collapses, uprooted trees, destroyed homes, and severe electrical outages in Palma Soriano and surrounding areas.
"It felt like the earth was shaking; rooftops were airborne, walls trembled, and all you could hear was the roar of the wind," recounted a resident from the Micro 9 neighborhood to local media.
Provincial authorities have confirmed that Palma Soriano remains without power, and there are significant disruptions in telephone communications.
Additionally, numerous rural roads are obstructed by fallen trees and landslides, complicating access to multiple communities.
Cuban Civil Defense and Electricity teams have been tirelessly working since dawn to clear roads and assess the damage. There are also reports of agricultural losses and damage to educational and health facilities.
Experts clarified that Santiago de Cuba was on the right side of Hurricane Melissa, the most destructive quadrant of a tropical cyclone, where the combination of forward speed and system rotation generates the most intense winds and violent surf.
Understanding the Impact of Hurricane Melissa
What category was Hurricane Melissa when it hit Palma Soriano?
Hurricane Melissa struck Palma Soriano as a Category 3 hurricane.
What are the primary damages reported in Palma Soriano?
Primary damages include destruction of homes, power outages, toppled power lines, and blocked roads due to fallen trees and landslides.
How are local authorities responding to the disaster?
Local authorities, including Civil Defense and Electricity teams, are working to clear roads and evaluate damage.