Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall in Eastern Cuba After Devastating Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in eastern Cuba early Wednesday as a Category 3 storm, following its destructive path as a Category 5 hurricane that pummeled Jamaica. The powerful storm slammed ashore near the town of New Hope, leaving widespread damage across the island.
Evan Thompson, Principal Director at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, issued a grave warning ahead of the hurricane’s arrival: “It will cause catastrophic damage, life-threatening damage. There is very little that can stop a category five hurricane.”
The trail of destruction in Jamaica includes powerful winds, fallen trees, and life-threatening flooding. Roads have become impassable as storm surges of up to 13 feet flooded coastal areas. The parish of St. Elizabeth is reportedly underwater, and over half a million residents are currently without power.
Four major hospitals suffered damage during the storm. One of these facilities lost power entirely, necessitating the evacuation of 75 patients to safer locations. In response to the widespread devastation, the Prime Minister of Jamaica declared the entire island a disaster area.
Personal Stories of Impact
Shantelle Nova was preparing for her dream wedding in Jamaica when Hurricane Melissa disrupted those plans. “Windows are broken, a lot of water is coming in, so we’re just basically pushing towels and stuff at the doors,” she said. “The level of noise is ridiculous. Trees have really bent over and flew away, and some of our roof is completely off.”
Severe Flooding in Cuba
In Cuba, streets in Santiago de Cuba were inundated due to severe flooding caused by heavy rains and strong winds preceding Melissa’s landfall. Authorities forecast up to 20 inches of rain in some areas, along with significant storm surges along the coast.
Approximately 500,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable regions to minimize harm from the winds and flooding as the storm moved across the Caribbean.
Operation Blessing Prepares Aid Efforts
CBN’s Operation Blessing is actively preparing to assist victims affected by Hurricane Melissa. Supplies are being packed, and a team is ready to deploy aid to the impacted areas.
On CBN’s Faith Nation, Diego Traverso, Senior Director of Operation Blessing’s Global Disaster Response Team, detailed the challenges ahead: “We don’t know how catastrophic this is going to be, if the water is going to recede, if the airports are going to be open and when they’re going to be open.”
He added, “At this point, we are just getting ready as close as we can to the island and praying for favor so we can either ride on an airplane, private or commercial.”
The disaster relief supplies being packed include water, food, solar lamps, hygiene kits, chlorinators, and water purification units to ensure access to clean drinking water. Traverso emphasized, “Water is going to be critical; the different ways for them to get water is going to get polluted. Pray for the people of Jamaica. Pray for the team of Operation Blessing.”
Additionally, Operation Blessing is preparing cargo shipments that include pallets of food and essential hygiene items for families affected by the hurricane.
Looking Ahead
Hurricane Melissa is forecasted to move into the Bahamas later Wednesday. Jamaican officials are hopeful to reopen the island’s airports by Thursday. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed that the United States is prepared to send aid to assist the affected regions.