Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba early Wednesday, hours after devastating Jamaica. Authorities have declared Cuba a &ldquo;disaster zone&rdquo; as the storm brought destructive winds, heavy rains, and storm surges across the island nation.
According to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC), Melissa struck the southern coast near Santiago de Cuba with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles (195 km) per hour, even after weakening to a Category 3 hurricane. The storm caused widespread flooding and power outages in eastern Cuba.
Before landfall, Cuban authorities evacuated more than 735,000 residents from coastal areas. President Miguel Diaz-Canel had warned citizens of potential &ldquo;significant damage&rdquo; and urged them to follow safety protocols. Despite the destruction, he assured that Cuba would recover from the disaster.
Earlier, Jamaica faced the full force of Hurricane Melissa when it hit the island as a Category 5 storm, the strongest ever recorded there. The hurricane destroyed homes, hospitals, and roads, leaving communities in ruins.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the country has suffered extensive infrastructural losses but vowed swift recovery efforts. While no official deaths have been confirmed yet, authorities fear casualties due to the scale of devastation.
Hurricane Melissa continues to move across the Caribbean, bringing life-threatening weather conditions and prompting international aid discussions for affected nations.

Cuba declares disaster zone as Hurricane Melissa hits after Jamaica faces destruction

Hurricane Melissa Slams Cuba After Jamaica Havoc

Cuba declares disaster zone as Hurricane Melissa hits after Jamaica faces destruction

October 29, 2025 | 16:17 IST