The National Civil Defense Staff made an announcement on Wednesday highlighting the potential dangers posed by Tropical Storm Melissa to Cuba. The alert underscores the importance for the eastern and central provinces to maintain vigilant monitoring of the storm's possible path and progression.
The Civil Defense directive emphasizes the constant dissemination of information and guidance to the public. This should be accomplished not only through traditional media and official social media profiles but also by utilizing alternative methods to reach residents in remote areas. Coordination with drone technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Centers, along with their Early Warning Points, is also advised.
However, these efforts to keep the public informed face significant challenges due to Cuba's ongoing energy crisis. Frequent power outages, lasting up to 20 hours daily, severely limit access to information channels and hinder the ability to charge mobile phones and other essential devices needed for receiving weather alerts and official instructions.
According to an analysis conducted with the Forecast Center of the Meteorology Institute, Melissa is currently positioned at approximately 14.3 degrees North latitude and 74.0 degrees West longitude, placing it about 510 kilometers south of Kingston, Jamaica. The storm is carrying maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour, with higher gusts, and has a central pressure of 1000 hectopascals. Melissa is moving in a west-northwest direction at a speed of 4 kilometers per hour.
In the coming days, the storm is expected to slowly move across the central Caribbean Sea, south of the Greater Antilles. Oceanic and atmospheric conditions are anticipated to become increasingly favorable for Melissa's intensification, posing a significant threat to our geographic area.
The National Hurricane Center has issued its latest update, noting that Tropical Storm Melissa continues to reorganize over the warm waters of the central Caribbean. It is predicted to reach a major hurricane status (category three or higher) over the weekend as it moves towards the area south of Cuba. The advisory warns that the storm's trajectory scenarios have grown more hazardous for the island, indicating a potential shift further into the Caribbean after passing south of Jamaica.
The advisory also mentions that despite Melissa's current disorganized state, gradual strengthening is anticipated, with the storm expected to reach hurricane status by Friday. Rapid intensification could result in Melissa becoming a major hurricane by Sunday.