Hurricane Melissa hits eastern Cuba with powerful winds and heavy rain

Powerful hurricane strikes eastern Cuba

Hurricane Melissa slammed into Cuba’s southern coast on Wednesday, bringing fierce winds and heavy rainfall as the storm swept across the eastern part of the island. According to the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC), the storm reached category three intensity as it made landfall, prompting widespread safety alerts and emergency measures across several provinces.

120 mph winds batter coastal regions

The Miami-based weather agency reported that Melissa’s center was located about 60 miles west-southwest of Guantanamo at the time of landfall. The hurricane was generating sustained wind speeds of nearly 120 miles per hour, with stronger gusts recorded along the shoreline. Torrential rain accompanied the storm, and forecasters warned of dangerous storm surges in low-lying coastal areas.

Local authorities ordered thousands of residents to evacuate from vulnerable zones as floodwaters began to rise. Power outages were reported in parts of the Santiago de Cuba and Granma provinces, with emergency services deploying crews to restore electricity and clear fallen trees. Maritime transport was suspended, and several ports remained closed due to rough sea conditions.

Authorities on high alert

Cuba’s civil defense agency urged people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel as the storm continued its path across the eastern region. Meteorologists predicted that Melissa would gradually weaken as it moved further inland but warned that flash floods and landslides remained possible in the mountainous areas.

The NHC said that the storm is expected to move northward after crossing the island and could later affect the Bahamas and parts of southern Florida as a slightly weaker system. Officials in neighboring Caribbean nations have also been advised to stay on alert as rainfall and strong winds spread outward from the hurricane’s core.