These are the measures taken by Civil Defense in response to the imminent impact of Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba

The Civil Defense of Cuba issued a set of priority guidelines on October 25 to prepare for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Melissa, which is expected to pass through the eastern region of the country between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning as a highly intense phenomenon.

The national meeting was chaired by Division General Ramón Pardo Guerra, head of the National Civil Defense Staff. This Sunday, a second control meeting took place, which included the participation of Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who emphasized that “everything must be done on time” to minimize human and material losses.

"Despite the variations that Hurricane Melissa may have in its trajectory, the forecast models agree that it is expected to impact the southeastern region of our country as a highly intense hurricane. We urge the population to diligently follow the guidelines provided by the local authorities," says one of its statements on Facebook.

Measures indicated by the Civil Defense in the territories

Among the fundamental provisions, those aimed at ensuring the protection of the population, assets, and essential resources of the country stand out, with special attention to the eastern provinces in a state of alert.

1. Immediate evacuation of residents in flood-risk areas, coastal zones, riverbanks, dams, and low-lying lands prone to landslides.
2. Protection of vulnerable populations, including elderly individuals living alone, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.
3. Ensuring primary public health services, with priority given to hospitals, polyclinics, and clinics, as well as epidemiological surveillance to prevent outbreaks following the hurricane.
4. Ensure charging points for cell phones and communication devices, as well as means for lighting such as rechargeable lamps, flashlights, and other electrical devices that can remain operational during prolonged power outages.
5. Maintain continuous communication with the population through all possible channels—radio, television, local networks, and messaging—to inform about the measures, warnings, and guidelines from local authorities.
6. Protection of personal property and emotional support animals, as well as safeguarding material resources in workplaces and state entities.
7. Harvesting and storing agricultural products before the event's impact to prevent losses.
8. Transfer of livestock to high and safe locations, and protection of vessels and fishing equipment.
9. Prioritize the operation of food production centers and ensure the conditions of evacuation centers.
10. Ensure the supply of water, basic food items, and fuel in areas of potential impact.
11. Increase the cleaning of debris, solid waste, drains, drainage ditches, and gutters, with the aim of preventing blockages and facilitating the drainage of heavy rainfall.
12. Organize the forces and resources for the recovery phase, with brigades for sanitation, electricity, and water supply.
13. Set up offices for processing and support to assist the population affected by the meteorological event.

Hurricane Melissa: trajectory and risks

During the expanded meeting of the National Defense Council, the director general of the Institute of Meteorology, Dr. Celso Pazos Alberdi, reported that forecasting models indicate that Hurricane Melissa will make landfall on Tuesday afternoon in an area between the provinces of Granma and Santiago de Cuba, or possibly Guantánamo, and will move north on Wednesday morning between Holguín and Guantánamo.

Intense rainfall is expected, with accumulations between 200 and 400 millimeters in less than 48 hours, higher amounts in mountainous areas, as well as coastal flooding and saltwater intrusion both on the southern coast at its entry and on the northern coast at its exit.

General Pardo Guerra stated that the established phases have been implemented in a timely manner. He also confirmed the evacuation of several hundred people, including tourists, in Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, and Holguín, due to the rains that are already affecting the region.

In Granma, authorities reported that over 110,000 people need protection, which represents 15% of the provincial population. A total of 224 evacuation centers have been set up, prioritizing the admission of pregnant women in vulnerable areas.

In Santiago de Cuba, the protection of 258,573 people is anticipated, which is about 25% of the local population. The most important reservoirs are either overflowing or ready to overflow, and efforts are intensifying to safeguard the coffee harvest.

In Holguín, the Civil Defense plans include the evacuation of 305,530 people, while in Guantánamo, the evacuation of 30% of the population is projected, amounting to about 140,000 people. Both provinces have activated electrical and community brigades to tackle the recovery phase.

In Las Tunas, preparations are underway for the evacuation of approximately 72,000 people and the protection of photovoltaic solar parks, with an emphasis on preserving material resources.