The province of Santiago de Cuba woke up this Wednesday with visible damage from the hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in that area early this morning.
The city of Santiago and other municipalities woke up to flooded streets, torn roofs, and fallen poles.
The images coming from the town of El Cobre are quite striking, showcasing a significant level of destruction.
From the neighborhoods of Versalles, Flores, and 30 de Noviembre to areas like San Pedrito and major thoroughfares such as Camilo Cienfuegos Avenue in Contramaestre, the traces of Hurricane Melissa are evident since dawn this Wednesday in Santiago de Cuba.
Significant damage also at the University of Oriente.
The images shared by residents show uprooted trees, collapsed power poles, detached roofs, and streets turned into rivers.
Several videos also highlight the intensity of the winds at critical points during the hurricane's passage through that territory.
On Fría Street, in the San Pedrito neighborhood, a partial collapse of a house has been reported, along with the total loss of the roof, as detailed in a Facebook post by journalist Yosmany Mayeta, who has documented the situation in various locations throughout the Santiago province.
On the corner of Massó and the main avenue of Palma Soriano, fallen structures can also be seen.
The Dos Caminos community, in the San Luis municipality, also woke up completely flooded.
“Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba, right now… My God,” wrote a resident while sharing an image that shows the devastation caused by Melissa.
Melissa touched down at 3:10 a.m.: a precise strike
Hurricane Melissa, classified as extremely dangerous, made landfall in Cuba early Wednesday along the southern coast of Santiago de Cuba, specifically at El Francés beach in the municipality of Guamá.
The National Hurricane Center of the United States confirmed that the phenomenon entered with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h and a minimum pressure of 952 millibars, categorizing it as a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Although it arrived in Cuba weakened, it was preceded by a devastating passage through Jamaica, where it reached category 5 and left behind a trail of destruction that is still being assessed.
Municipalities underwater and collapsed structures
In Guamá, the municipality where Melissa made landfall, the waves exceeded 4 meters.
The houses near the coast show severe damage.
In Santiago de Cuba, the recreational center Zona+ suffered significant damage to its glass windows; while in areas such as Avenida Patria, Plaza de la Revolución, Mar Verde, Fábrica de Aceite, and Avenida de las Américas, floods cover a large part of the public roads, according to a report on social media by journalist Cuscó Tarradell.
El Cobre, meanwhile, experienced a terrifying dawn. The rising river damaged the command post, the Cultural Center, and areas close to Melgarejo.
In Palma Soriano, the Charco Mono dam overflowed after receiving more than 150 millimeters of rain in less than an hour.
The municipality of Contramaestre is experiencing multiple issues: the road to Los Negros is completely flooded, and fallen trees and utility poles are blocking access.
The Flores neighborhood and Camilo Cienfuegos Avenue present similar images. In Segundo Frente, several areas are cut off from communication, and in San Luis, the productive area of Poza Blanca has been submerged under water.
The emergency continues: critical hours ahead
Journalist Cusco Tarradell reported a "devastating" situation across the entire province since early morning. Rescue and salvage teams are deployed in the most affected areas, and the Civil Defense is on high alert, prioritizing the protection of human lives.
Authorities warn that the next five hours will be crucial, as the hurricane's bands of rain continue to bring heavy showers and potential new landslides. They have urged the population to stay indoors and keep informed through official channels.
Melissa's passage occurs in a context that is especially vulnerable for Cuba.
The eastern province faces severe infrastructural deterioration, with weak electrical networks, precarious buildings, and productive sectors under pressure.
The accumulation of crises -economic, energy, and agricultural- exacerbates the effects of each extreme weather event.
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