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Santiago de Cuba is experiencing hours of uncertainty and helplessness due to the imminent arrival of hurricane Melissa, with prolonged power outages, a shortage of drinking water, and food.
Residents report that they are preparing "as best as they can" and without adequate institutional support, while authorities, according to citizen criticism, continue to "evaluate" from their offices.
“Save yourselves if you can… The storm Melissa is threatening eastern Cuba, and Santiago might take the hardest hit. Rain, winds, and blackouts are imminent… The people of Santiago are preparing with fear, lacking resources and confidence. Secure your homes, store water and food, and assist your neighbors. Here, only the people save the people!” reported local journalist Yosmany Mayeta on his Facebook page.
The precariousness affects entire families: “Many people have nowhere to live or their homes are not suitable,” “they haven't even brought the basic food basket,” “there is no gas, there is no water through the pipes,” can be read in a sample of the testimonies circulating on Facebook.
There are also calls for immediate preventive actions: “Fewer meetings and more action: evacuate, trim trees, and clear drains.”
Mayeta Labrada's warning emphasizes the need for community self-protection in a scenario where intense rains, gusts of wind, and new blackouts are anticipated. Residents are requesting that, in addition to "withstanding," water points be established, roofs be secured, and priority be given to the elderly, children, and families living in vulnerable housing.
In this context of scarcity, the most frequently echoed call among the people of Santiago is to look out for one another and share the little available: “All we can do is take care of each other and ask God to protect us,” “We have no water, we will die of thirst,” “God have mercy,” is repeated in numerous messages.
As Melissa approaches the East, the population demands timely information, visible measures in neighborhoods, and clear practical advice: securing homes, storing water when possible, preparing non-perishable food, clearing drainage systems, and helping the most vulnerable.
Melissa has turned into a hurricane on the afternoon of this Saturday and is expected to continue intensifying in the coming hours as it approaches the largest of the Antilles.
“Hurricane Warning Melissa 17A: Melissa has become a hurricane and is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane by the end of the weekend,” reported the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Tropical storm Melissa became a hurricane on the afternoon of this Saturday and is expected to continue intensifying.
On Friday, Melissa left a trail of flooding, landslides, and material damage across several provinces of the Dominican Republic.
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