In response to the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Melissa, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has issued urgent directives to safeguard the population and minimize potential damage. During an extended meeting of the National Defense Council (CDN), Díaz-Canel emphasized the critical need for timely evacuations, particularly for residents in flood-prone areas, downstream from dams, and other high-risk zones. The meeting, conducted via videoconference, included officials from provinces on alert, such as Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Holguín, Las Tunas, Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila, and Sancti Spíritus.
Díaz-Canel highlighted the importance of protecting vulnerable groups, including elderly individuals living alone, and ensuring the safety of personal property and pets. He also stressed the necessity of maintaining a steady flow of information to the public to prevent reckless behavior. The president called for comprehensive measures to secure material resources, livestock, agricultural products, and boats, while prioritizing food processing and evacuation centers. Additionally, he instructed authorities to prepare for the recovery phase, focusing on restoring essential services such as electricity, water supply, and sanitation.
Dr. Celso Pazos Alberdi, Director General of the Institute of Meteorology, provided an update on Hurricane Melissa, predicting its landfall in eastern Cuba as a high-intensity hurricane. The storm is expected to bring significant rainfall, with accumulations of 200 to 400 millimeters in 34 to 48 hours, and coastal flooding due to sea surges. Major General Ramón Pardo Guerra, head of the National Civil Defense Staff, reported on ongoing evacuations, including tourists in Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, and Holguín, due to flood risks.
Provincial leaders detailed their preparedness efforts. In Granma, 110,000 people, including 470 pregnant women, are being protected in evacuation centers or with family and friends. Santiago de Cuba has plans to safeguard 258,573 residents, with dams ready to release water and attention given to the coffee harvest. Holguín has 151 evacuation centers ready for 305,530 people, while Guantánamo is preparing to evacuate 140,000 residents. Similar measures are underway in Las Tunas, where 113 protection centers are available.
In his concluding remarks, Díaz-Canel commended the provinces for their responsible and knowledgeable approach to the crisis. He expressed confidence in the resilience of the Cuban people, assuring that with collective effort, the nation will overcome the challenges posed by Hurricane Melissa.