Hurricane Melissa unleashed severe flooding and structural damage at the Vladimir Ilich Lenin Provincial Hospital in Holguín, a key medical institution in eastern Cuba, as reported by Cuban Television on Wednesday.
The broadcast depicted scenes of complete inundation, toppled trees, downed power lines, and widespread chaos and destruction both inside and outside the hospital, which is among the most significant in the eastern region.
"The situation is incredibly dire," stated the reporter, showcasing hospital staff and doctors working tirelessly to remove the water from hallways and protect medical equipment using makeshift solutions.
Holguín Overwhelmed by Floods and Power Outages
Holguín was one of the hardest-hit provinces as Hurricane Melissa battered eastern Cuba with winds reaching up to 183 mph and torrential rainfalls.
The surge of rivers and the failure of the urban drainage system led to widespread flooding, impacting both residential neighborhoods and essential facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and isolation centers.
The Vladimir Lenin Hospital, already burdened with structural and equipment shortages, was partially incapacitated by the floodwaters, while power outages and failures in the emergency electrical systems further complicated patient care.
"It's been a severe blow. There's no electricity, no water, and the generators are barely holding on. We're doing what we can," a healthcare worker anonymously shared on social media.
Melissa's Aftermath: Institutional Collapse and Chaos
The storm, which struck eastern Cuba early in the morning, caused rivers to overflow, destroyed homes, and halted basic services.
Holguín, along with Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Guantánamo, remains in a state of emergency, with roads cut off, hospitals overwhelmed, and communications sporadic.
Meanwhile, provincial authorities have pledged a "comprehensive damage assessment," though the disaster's scale clearly exceeds the local response capacity.
Impact and Response to Hurricane Melissa in Cuba
What were the main impacts of Hurricane Melissa in Holguín?
Hurricane Melissa caused significant flooding and structural damage in Holguín, affecting key facilities like hospitals and residential areas, and leading to power outages and service disruptions.
How did the authorities respond to the disaster?
The provincial authorities promised a comprehensive assessment of the damage, but the scale of the disaster overwhelmed local response capacities.
What challenges did the hospital face during the hurricane?
The hospital faced severe flooding, power outages, and failures in emergency systems, which complicated the care of patients and highlighted existing structural and equipment deficiencies.