The renowned Cuban meteorologist José Rubiera issued an urgent alert regarding the imminent arrival of Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba, warning that the phenomenon “will be destructive” and that residents must protect their lives and those of their families in the face of extreme danger.
In his YouTube channel Rubiera Tiempo, the expert, respected by generations of Cubans for his calm voice and authority during times of crisis, detailed that Melissa reached sustained winds of 295 km/h and gusts of up to 330, becoming a Category Five cyclone as it crossed Jamaica, with a minimum pressure of 892 hectopascals, placing it among the most intense hurricanes recorded in the Atlantic.
Rubiera warned that the powerful system is heading towards the east of Cuba, where it could make landfall between the night of this Tuesday and the early hours of Wednesday, with hurricane-force winds that will be felt from Camagüey to Guantánamo.
"When it passes through Cuba, it may weaken a bit, but it will still be of great intensity, category four or three, both destructive," he warned.
The meteorologist emphasized the importance of evacuating in a timely manner and not staying in fragile housing or near the sea
“No one can replicate life. A house can be built, but without life, nothing is resolved,” he emphasized.
He also warned about the risk of high waves and severe flooding, with a wall of water reaching up to four meters along the southeastern coast, and urged people to remain alert only to official sources and reliable voices.
"Do not be near rivers, streams, or the sea. One must take precautions because this hurricane is truly impressive," Rubiera insisted as he concluded his remarks.
The alert from Rubiera comes as Melissa quickly approaches Cuban territory, putting the eastern part of the island on high alert as it prepares to face one of the most powerful hurricanes in recent decades.
The National Hurricane Center of the United States (NHC) confirmed in its 5:00 p.m. report (Miami time) that the center of Melissa is located about 325 kilometers southwest of Guantánamo, with maximum sustained winds of 230 km/h and moving northeast at 13 km/h.
According to the NHC, Melissa is expected to hit southeastern Cuba tonight, bringing wave heights of 8 to 12 feet (2.5 to 3.5 meters) and accumulated rainfall of up to 25 inches (more than 600 millimeters) in mountainous areas of eastern Cuba, which could lead to catastrophic flooding and landslides.
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