Hurricane Melissa Strikes Jamaica, Targets Cuba with Catastrophic Force

Hurricane Melissa has intensified as it approaches eastern Cuba after causing widespread devastation in Jamaica. The storm, classified as a Category 4 hurricane, is expected to make landfall early on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. In response to the looming threat, more than 700,000 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas in Cuba, according to the official newspaper, Granma.

As of Tuesday night, the hurricane maintained sustained winds of 130 mph (215 kph) and was moving northeast at 9 mph (15 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Centre110 miles (175 kilometers) southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba, and was predicted to traverse the island throughout the night.

Impact on Cuba and Jamaica

Forecasters have warned that Hurricane Melissa could unleash catastrophic damage in areas such as Santiago de Cuba and its surroundings. A hurricane warning is currently in effect for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, Holguín, and Las Tunas, along with the southeastern and central Bahamas. A hurricane watch has also been issued for Bermuda.

The storm is expected to produce a storm surge of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) and deliver as much as 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain in parts of eastern Cuba. Michael Brennan, director of the U.S. National Hurricane Centre, cautioned that “numerous landslides are likely in those areas.”

This natural disaster could exacerbate Cuba’s ongoing economic crisis, which has already led to extended power outages, fuel shortages, and food scarcity. President Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed the nation, promising that “no one is left behind and no resources are spared to protect the lives of the population.” He urged citizens to respect the storm’s power, describing it as “the strongest ever to hit national territory.”

Classes have been suspended across provinces from Guantánamo to Camagüey in anticipation of the storm’s impact.

As Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc in Jamaica, officials are gearing up to assess the damage. Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council, reported extensive damage in parts of Clarendon and St. Elizabeth, with some areas “under water.” The storm has disrupted operations at four hospitals, with one facility losing power and necessitating the evacuation of 75 patients.

By late Tuesday, over 500,000 customers in Jamaica were without power due to fallen trees and power lines, coupled with widespread flooding. The Jamaican government is optimistic about reopening all airports by Thursday to facilitate the swift distribution of emergency relief supplies.

Tragically, the storm has already claimed the lives of seven individuals in the Caribbean, including three fatalities in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, where another person remains missing.

As Hurricane Melissa continues its destructive path, authorities in both Jamaica and Cuba are mobilizing resources and implementing emergency measures to safeguard their populations and begin recovery efforts in the aftermath of this powerful storm.