**Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall in Cuba After Devastating Jamaica as a Category 5 Storm**
Hurricane Melissa struck eastern Cuba early Wednesday as a powerful Category 3 storm, following its devastating impact on Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane. The storm slammed ashore near the Jamaican town of New Hope, leaving widespread destruction in its wake, including destroyed homes and businesses.
Evan Thompson, Principal Director at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, had warned residents ahead of the storm: “It will cause catastrophic damage, life-threatening damage. There is very little that can stop a category five hurricane.” His warning proved accurate as powerful winds, fallen trees, and life-threatening flooding ravaged the island.
Roads across Jamaica have become impassable due to a storm surge reaching up to 13 feet. The parish of St. Elizabeth is reportedly underwater, and over half a million residents remain without power. Damage to critical infrastructure includes four main hospitals, one of which lost power and forced the evacuation of 75 patients. In light of the calamity, the Prime Minister of Jamaica has declared the entire island a disaster area.
Among those affected is Shantelle Nova, who had planned her dream wedding in Jamaica. The storm flooded the venue and devastated their plans. Nova described the scene: “Windows are broken, a lot of water is coming in, so we’re just basically pushing towels and stuff at the doors. The level of noise is ridiculous. Trees have really bent over and flew away, and some of our roof is completely off.”
Meanwhile, in Cuba, severe flooding inundated streets in Santiago de Cuba as Melissa brought heavy rains and strong winds prior to landfall. Authorities forecasted 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 zones in anticipation of the storm’s impact.
In response to the disaster, CBN’s Operation Blessing is mobilizing aid efforts. The team is currently preparing supplies and readying a relief team to assist those affected by the storm. On CBN’s Faith Nation, Diego Traverso, Senior Director for Operation Blessing’s Global Disaster Response Team, emphasized 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,” Traverso explained. “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 a private or commercial airplane.”
The Operation Blessing team has packed much-needed disaster relief supplies, including bottled water, non-perishable food, solar lamps, hygiene kits, chlorinators, and water purification units to ensure clean drinking water. Traverso stressed the critical need for water: “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 Operation Blessing team.”
Additionally, Operation Blessing is preparing cargo pallets filled with food and hygiene items essential for families affected by the hurricane.
As Hurricane Melissa continues its path, it is forecasted to move into the Bahamas later on Wednesday. Jamaican officials hope to reopen the island’s airports by Thursday. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed that the United States is prepared to provide assistance as needed.
Stay tuned for more updates on Hurricane Melissa and relief efforts as the situation develops.
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