Newly released images from Cayo Granma, located in the bay of Santiago de Cuba, reveal the extensive damage inflicted by Hurricane Melissa as it ravaged the small island.
"Melissa has left a path of destruction in Cayo Granma. The scene is heart-wrenching: roofs torn off, homes either completely or partially destroyed, and the village church, once a beacon of faith and refuge, now stands roofless," shared journalist Cuscó Tarradel on Facebook, accompanied by images depicting the devastation.
Tarradel emphasized the distressing situation facing the residents of Cayo Granma. "They are still waiting for a government commission to assess the damage and provide urgent support to the affected families," he reported.
Aliuska García, a local resident, expressed her sorrow to Tarradel, saying, "It's very sad to see this land like this!"
The journalist concluded, "Today, Cayo Granma needs to be heard. It needs help, companionship, and solidarity, just like many other areas in eastern Cuba."
On Friday, the story of Toti, another Cayo Granma resident who lost everything in the wake of Melissa, emerged. Toti shared a video showing the rubble where his home once stood, amidst soaked mattresses, collapsed walls, and the desperation of lacking food and medicine for his family.
The video was shared on social media profiles of Conducta Dade, a project highlighting stories of vulnerable Cubans, now focusing on those like Toti who face total loss after the hurricane.
"I've lost everything... the roof, the furniture, the books, my daughter's clothes," Toti said, his voice breaking as he walked through his devastated home.
His story highlights the human tragedy left by Melissa in one of the hardest-hit areas of Santiago de Cuba province. "We haven't been able to recover anything. We have nothing to eat, no milk for the baby, no money to buy food," Toti lamented, mentioning he would spend the night at a neighbor's house.
Images show collapsed roofs, destroyed appliances, and a family without resources to rebuild in the face of the institutional silence weighing on the most affected communities.
The community of Cayo Granma is engulfed in destruction following Hurricane Melissa's impact. The cyclone, which struck eastern Cuba as a Category 3 storm, resulted in the destruction of numerous homes and total loss of personal property for many families.
Evidence of the catastrophe circulates on Facebook, particularly in the "Amigos del Cayo" group, where users have posted videos capturing the scale of the damage. These recordings confirm the violent impact on the small island's structures at the entrance of the Santiago bay.
The images shared in the virtual community depict a scene of ruin: completely collapsed residences, torn-off roofs, and overturned boats, all consequences of the intense winds and heavy surf.
A resident from the Chicharrones district in Veguita de Galo, Santiago de Cuba, sent a video to CiberCuba showing how his home was devastated by the storm. In his yard, only remnants of boards, twisted zinc sheets, and fallen trees on furniture and his bed remain.
In Contramaestre, an entire neighborhood was submerged under water and mud after several rivers in the area overflowed.
Homes destroyed, uprooted trees, and roads blocked by tons of debris paint the grim landscape left by the storm in Guamá, the coastal municipality of Santiago de Cuba, where Melissa made landfall on Wednesday with winds of approximately 124 mph.
Impact of Hurricane Melissa in Eastern Cuba
How did Hurricane Melissa affect Cayo Granma?
Hurricane Melissa caused significant destruction in Cayo Granma, including torn roofs, collapsed homes, and the village church losing its roof. Residents are awaiting government assistance.
What support is needed for the residents of Cayo Granma?
The residents need urgent help, including food, medicine, and repair materials, as well as government and community support to recover from the devastation.
What other areas were impacted by the hurricane?
In addition to Cayo Granma, areas like Contramaestre and Guamá were severely affected, with neighborhoods flooded and homes destroyed due to overflowing rivers and the storm's strong winds.