Tuesday Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a strong Category 5 hurricane. It set records for storm intensity, as it produced sustained winds measured at 185 mph (295 km/h). The hurricane made landfall just west of the southwest town of New Hope, leaving the town and much of the damage-riddled territory devastated. By Wednesday, Melissa was well on her way to Cuba. When it made landfall on the southern coast as a Category 3 hurricane, the storm caught state and local officials—and nearby residents—by surprise.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) officially classified Hurricane Melissa as a category 5 hurricane, with wind speeds exceeding 157 mph (252 km/h). Winds of this intensity make it a Category 5 hurricane. Updates indicated that some areas of Jamaica were deeply affected, in particular Clarendon and St. Elizabeth. Indeed, St. Elizabeth was apparently completely underwater with flood waters. The massive storm impacted more than 500,000 residents, knocking out their power. Simultaneously, the quality of internet connectivity plunged to only 42% of pre-COVID levels.
The storm has claimed lives in the Caribbean, resulting in seven fatalities—three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic. As the scenario played out, even emergency services were hard-pressed to respond given the widespread devastation and dangerous conditions.
On Wednesday, the newly formed Hurricane Melissa came night these same coastlines, making landfall on Cuba’s southern coast with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). As they pounded southwestern Cuba, the NHC issued warnings for all but one of Cuba’s provinces, including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez instructed citizens in preparation for Hurricane Melissa. He warned that it was on track to be “one of the worst – or maybe the very worst” storms to ever strike the island.
At time of posting, around 735,000 Cubans had been evacuated from at-risk coastal areas. President Díaz-Canel emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, “Residents in Cuba should seek safe shelter immediately.”
“There are already brigades specializing in electricity, water resources, communications, and construction that will work alongside the forces in each territory, jointly, on the recovery efforts.” – Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez
The impressive adaptation efforts represent a reliable positive trend toward reducing the storm’s damage. Díaz-Canel further noted the importance of recovery plans for food production and infrastructure repair:
“We know that this cyclone will cause a lot of damage… we will have the full capacity to recover in food production, in the reconstruction of homes that are destroyed or damaged, in the recovery of the economy, and also in the recovery and vitality of the country’s main productive and social processes.” – Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez
The NHC has cautioned that Melissa could produce life-threatening flash flooding and many landslides as it moves closer to Cuba. Officials across the Caribbean are preparing for extensive recovery efforts while assessing immediate needs.
“We’re confident that whatever assistance they can render, whatever assistance we deem necessary, there will be a great effort to have that fulfilled.” – Andrew Holness
Meanwhile in Jamaica, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has been leading the charge in coordinating a strong disaster response. He was heartened by a sense of readiness he heard from local agencies to work together to address the aftermath.
“There will be a lot of work to do. We know there will be a lot of damage.” – Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez
Hurricane Melissa would become a notable meteorological event for both Jamaica and Cuba. This category 5 hurricane is the most powerful to strike Cuba since records began in 1851. Its historical importance only exacerbates the current crisis. Given the strength of this unprecedented storm, local leaders are calling attention to this critical need and encouraging coastal communities to remain prepared and aware.