Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in eastern Cuba as a Category 3 storm

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🗞️ Driving the news: Hurricane Melissa made landfall in eastern Cuba early Wednesday as a Category 3 storm, after striking Jamaica as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record
• The storm is currently moving northeast at 10 mph (16 kph), bringing sustained winds of 120 mph (193 kph), life-threatening floods, and a storm surge of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters)
• Over 700,000 people have been evacuated in Cuba, and warnings are in effect across multiple eastern provinces and parts of the Bahamas

🔭 The context: Melissa reached Category 5 status before hitting Jamaica, with peak winds of 185 mph (295 kph), making it one of the most powerful storms to hit the island
• In Jamaica, the storm caused widespread flooding, damaged hospitals, and knocked out power for over half a million people
• Cuba is already grappling with a severe economic crisis, including rolling blackouts and shortages of food and fuel, which could exacerbate the storm's humanitarian impact
• Schools and public services across several provinces were preemptively shut down

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Hurricane Melissa is a stark reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change
• Warming ocean temperatures contribute directly to the formation of stronger tropical cyclones with greater rainfall potential, as seen in Melissa's rapid intensification
• The storm underscores the vulnerability of Caribbean nations with limited infrastructure resilience and highlights the urgent need for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies

⏭️ What's next: Melissa is expected to pass through Cuba and reach the Bahamas later Wednesday, continuing to pose risks of flooding, landslides, and storm surges
• Authorities in Jamaica will begin damage assessments today, while Cuban officials brace for prolonged disruptions
• Emergency response teams across the region are mobilizing to restore power, reopen airports, and distribute humanitarian aid
• Attention is now turning to the broader economic and social recovery in affected countries as the hurricane season continues

💬 One quote: “There will be a lot of work to do. We know there will be a lot of damage… No one is left behind and no resources are spared to protect the lives of the population.” – Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel

📈 One stat: More than 700,000 people were evacuated in Cuba ahead of Hurricane Melissa's landfall.

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