Cuba Prepares for Imminent Impact of Hurricane Melissa

The President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, led an expanded National Defense Council today to evaluate preparations for the imminent impact of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Via videoconference, the president coordinated actions with the highest authorities of the Communist Party of Cuba and the Government in the eastern provinces already in the Alarm Phase—Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Holguín, Las Tunas, and Camagüey—as well as with Ciego de Ávila and Sancti Spíritus, which are in the Alert Phase. The rest of the country remains in the Informative Phase, with all Provincial Defense Councils activated, according to a report from the Republic's Presidency on the social media platform X.

An Intensifying Threat

The Director General of the Institute of Meteorology, Celso Pazos, specified that Melissa gained intensity in recent hours and represents a greater threat than previous hurricanes such as Dennis, Sandy, or Matthew.

Major General Ramón Pardo, head of the Civil Defense National Staff, detailed the ongoing evacuation measures in the eastern territories, given the risk of flooding from torrential rains.

Provincial Preparations in High Gear

In Granma, the First Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Yudelkis Ortiz, reported that reservoirs are at 57 percent of their capacity and that actions are being taken to protect economic resources. "The province is preparing for the worst-case scenario, with the objective of protecting the population and guaranteeing vital services," she said.

In Santiago de Cuba, her counterpart Beatriz Johnson confirmed the evacuation of more than 119,000 people, the early harvesting of essential agricultural products, and the inspection of critical zones.

From Guantánamo, the First Secretary of the Party, Yoel Pérez, assured that evacuations for more than 39,500 people have already been secured in shelters and the homes of relatives or supportive neighbors, based on experiences from previous similar meteorological phenomena.

National Resources Mobilized

Representatives of state agencies provided an update on the availability of energy, water, food, transport, tourism, education, health, and communications. Brigades of electricians and from the Cuban Telecommunications Company (Etecsa) are ready to intervene in affected areas.

Roberto Morales, Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee of the PCC, reported that working groups composed of members of the Secretariat and other officials have been created and are already deployed in the territories. He emphasized the need to maintain timely and systematic communication with the population, as well as to provide special attention in evacuation centers.

Absolute Priority is Human Life

Díaz-Canel reiterated during the meeting that the absolute priority is the protection of human life. "The Revolution leaves no one behind," he stated, emphasizing that, despite economic and social complexities, "resources cannot be spared when it comes to protecting people."

Finally, he urged the population in the impact zones to heighten their risk perception and rigorously follow the instructions of the authorities.