Hurricane Melissa Threatens Cuba: Evacuations and Damage Reports

Thu Oct 30 2025 21:09:20 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As Hurricane Melissa approaches Cuba, authorities have evacuated over 700,000 residents in preparation for possible catastrophic damage. The storm, a Category 4 hurricane, is expected to make landfall soon.

Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes recorded, is set to strike eastern Cuba shortly after causing extensive damage in Jamaica. Over 700,000 Cubans have been evacuated as the authorities brace for catastrophic conditions. Officials warn of severe flooding, landslides, and possible disruptions to already strained resources in the country. The storm has already resulted in multiple fatalities across the Caribbean.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba (AP) — Hurricane Melissa is on track to make landfall in eastern Cuba early Wednesday, following its path of destruction through Jamaica as it became one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record.

Authorities in Cuba have prioritized safety, evacuating more than 700,000 people in anticipation of the storm’s impact, with {{ Granma}}, the official newspaper, reporting significant preparation efforts.

The Category 4 hurricane, packing sustained winds of 130 mph (215 kph), poses an imminent threat to provinces including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas. Beachfront and low-lying areas are under a hurricane warning, while a hurricane watch remains in effect for Bermuda.

As the storm approaches, experts predict a dangerous storm surge reaching up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) and heavy rainfall of up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) in vulnerable regions of eastern Cuba. Michael Brennan, director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center, expressed concern about the likelihood of landslides in affected areas.

The impact of Melissa could exacerbate Cuba's ongoing economic difficulties, marked by prolonged power outages and dire shortages of food and fuel.

In a televised address, President Miguel Díaz-Canel emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, 'There will be a lot of work to do. We know there will be a lot of damage.' He reassured the public that all necessary resources would be deployed to protect lives.

Classes in the provinces from Guantánamo to Camagüey were suspended as a precaution. As Cuba readies itself for Hurricane Melissa, officials in Jamaica are preparing to assess the widespread devastation from the storm's earlier impact.

In Jamaica, certain areas experienced severe flooding and damage to infrastructure, leading to power outages for over half a million customers. The government hopes to quickly distribute emergency supplies as the effects of the storm continue to unfold across the region.

Tragically, Hurricane Melissa has already resulted in seven fatalities across the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica and one in the Dominican Republic.