The First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in Santiago de Cuba and President of the Provincial Defense Council, Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, issued an alert message regarding the imminent danger of Hurricane Melissa, which threatens to have a devastating impact on the eastern part of the country.
The message was shared on the official profile of the leader on Facebook, where Johnson urged the public not to wait until the last moment to protect themselves.
“Santiagueras, santiagueros, we know what the word hurricane means. Thirteen years ago with Sandy we learned how much loss can hurt, but we also learned how much a community can endure when it organizes, listens, and acts together,” expressed the leader, who is primarily responsible for a significant portion of the people not receiving timely information related to the powerful hurricane.
The official warned about the strength of the weather phenomenon, which is moving towards the eastern region with intense rainfall and hurricane-force winds.
Today, Hurricane Melissa is approaching, bringing heavy rains, strong winds, and a high risk of flooding. We ask that you follow the guidelines from Civil Defense. Do not wait until the last moment; every minute counts when it comes to protecting lives,” he stated.
Johnson explained that local authorities have been working for days to protect essential resources and to relocate people living in vulnerable areas to safe locations, in coordination with the Provincial Defense Council.
She also made a call for solidarity in the face of danger. “Solidarity is our greatest strength today. No one should be left alone. Help a neighbor, an elderly person, a family in need of support. Let’s take care of children, pregnant women, and the elderly,” said the leader.
In his post, he urged everyone to exercise caution and not to underestimate the power of the hurricane. “Let’s not improvise, let’s not underestimate the strength of the wind or the water. I have deep faith in the wisdom of our people. What we do well today, we will remember tomorrow with pride,” Johnson wrote.
The hurricane Melissa, which reached category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, continues its movement toward the northern Caribbean with winds of 220 kilometers per hour and threatens to cause heavy rains, landslides, and coastal flooding in eastern Cuba.
Beatriz Johnson's message concluded with a call to remain calm, disciplined, and united in the face of danger: "Melissa will pass; we will remain here, together, looking out for each other, as the force that upholds Santiago."
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