The scene in Guamá, a municipality in Santiago de Cuba, is one of utter devastation following the landfall of Hurricane Melissa early Wednesday morning. The powerful storm made its entrance into Cuba through this region, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
As hours of uncertainty passed, the first images have surfaced, revealing the extent of the damage in this area, particularly in communities like Aserradero and Boca de Dos Ríos. The images depict a landscape of fallen trees, roofless homes, toppled power lines, impassable roads, and a region completely cut off from the rest of the island.
This dire situation has sparked a wave of anxiety among those with family in the area. Social media has become a platform for desperate pleas for information.
Desperate Calls for Help from Cuban Families in the U.S.
On Thursday, CiberCuba received urgent messages from Cuban families living in the United States, seeking information and humanitarian aid for Guamá, where Hurricane Melissa hit with sustained winds of 180 km/h and even stronger gusts. These families expressed their fear, noting the lack of both official and unofficial reports on the current state of the municipality, which remains isolated.
"We fear Guamá has been severely impacted by the hurricane. We don't know the condition of the residents or if everyone is safe," read one message sent to CiberCuba. They also sought guidance on contacting local authorities or the Civil Defense, urging the situation to be brought to light so that humanitarian aid could arrive swiftly.
Journalist Cuscó Tarradell Raises the Alarm
Journalist Cuscó Tarradell shared images captured by Shalem Perdomo, highlighting the severity of the situation with a plea for action. In a social media post, he emphasized the importance of the evacuations and the use of sturdy buildings for shelter, expressing hope that these measures had saved lives.
He also issued a warning: "Let's see when helicopters can reach this isolated territory." Later, Tarradell updated the public after communicating with members of Santiago de Cuba's Active Provincial Defense Council, reporting no deaths in the mountainous areas due to the hurricane.
Further details revealed that approximately 30,000 people were evacuated in Guamá, and reconnaissance helicopters were preparing to deploy to the region.
Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall at Playa El Francés
Guamá was the entry point for Hurricane Melissa into Cuba, specifically at Playa El Francés on Santiago de Cuba's southern coast. The storm made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, resulting in significant destruction and total communication breakdown across much of eastern Cuba.
Concerned Facebook users have been posting about the critical situation in the area, with some pleading for information about specific locations like El Francés and Caletón Blanco. Others have expressed their anxiety over missing family members in various parts of the region.
Immediate Institutional and Humanitarian Response Needed
With the municipality of Guamá isolated, without power, and cut off from terrestrial communication, an urgent institutional response and humanitarian intervention are imperative. The civil society and exiled communities have already initiated calls for aid and proposals to coordinate relief efforts. However, it is crucial for Cuban authorities to communicate transparently about the current conditions and establish channels for international assistance to reach those in need.
A concerned citizen on social media demanded, "We deserve coherent information," as she remains without news of her family in Chivirico.
Questions about Hurricane Melissa's Impact on Guamá
How did Hurricane Melissa affect Guamá, Cuba?
Hurricane Melissa caused widespread devastation in Guamá, with fallen trees, roofless homes, and toppled power lines, leaving the area isolated and without communication.
What assistance is being provided to Guamá after Hurricane Melissa?
Reconnaissance helicopters are being prepared to reach the isolated area, and calls for humanitarian aid have been made, though the response from authorities is awaited.