Hurricane Melissa Approaches Eastern Cuba: Evacuations and Damage Reports Surge

Thu Oct 30 2025 05:44:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As Hurricane Melissa looms, over 700,000 people in eastern Cuba have been evacuated amid forecasts of devastating winds and heavy rains. The storm has already wreaked havoc in Jamaica, causing extensive damage and fatalities.

Hurricane Melissa is on track to strike eastern Cuba, prompting mass evacuations and warnings from authorities. Expected to hit early Wednesday, the storm could produce catastrophic winds and rainfall, following its path of destruction in Jamaica. The Cuban government has mobilized resources to protect civilians amid a pre-existing economic crisis. Reports indicate severe infrastructural damage in Jamaica from the storm's impact, which has already claimed lives in the region.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba — Hurricane Melissa is rapidly approaching eastern Cuba, where it is projected to make landfall as a major storm early Wednesday, following a deadly impact in Jamaica.

Over 700,000 residents have been evacuated, according to Granma, the official newspaper. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami reports that the Category 4 storm is packing winds of up to 130 mph (215 kph) as it moves northeast at 9 mph (15 kph). Authorities warn of potential catastrophic effects, particularly in Santiago de Cuba and surrounding provinces.

A hurricane warning remains in effect for Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas, along with parts of the southeast and central Bahamas, while Bermuda is under a hurricane watch.

As Melissa approaches, life-threatening storm surges of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) are anticipated, along with heavy rainfall totaling as much as 20 inches (51 centimeters). Michael Brennan, director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center, noted that numerous landslides are likely in affected areas.

The storm's arrival comes as Cuba grapples with a significant economic crisis characterized by prolonged power outages, fuel shortages, and food scarcity. President Miguel Díaz-Canel emphasized the need to protect lives, stating, No one is left behind and no resources are spared to protect the lives of the population, as classes were suspended from Guantánamo through Camagüey in preparation.

In Jamaica, damage assessments are underway, revealing significant flooding in areas like Clarendon and St. Elizabeth. Reports indicate that four hospitals were damaged, with one losing power and necessitating the evacuation of 75 patients. The storm has led to seven confirmed fatalities across the region: three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, where another remains missing.