LITTLE HAVANA, Fla. — Hurricane Melissa slammed into eastern Cuba on Wednesday, leaving behind widespread flooding, power outages and heavy damage — and sparking concern among Cuban Americans in South Florida.
The storm struck near Santiago de Cuba, where aging infrastructure made the destruction worse.
“Very worried, yeah, because it never happened before — so strong, very strong,” said Miami resident Juan Guerra, whose daughter still lives on the island.
Videos from the region showed flooded streets and collapsed homes.
“I feel bad for all the Cubans,” one man said in Spanish. “That’s our people, and I hope Jesus Christ looks after them.”
In Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood, many shared the same worries.
“I am very sorry for them,” said Sylvia Figueroa. “I am Cuban, and I feel for them.”
Figueroa compared the storm to Hurricane Maria, which left her without power for months. Guerra fears a long recovery ahead for Cuba, citing constant blackouts and food shortages. “No food, no medicine — it’s very, very sad,” he said.
For Mayte Casdelao, who lives and works in Little Havana, the impact is personal. Her parents remain in Cuba, where she says the situation is dire.
“Everything in Cuba is horrific for people because they don’t have any kind of help,” she said.
As Cuba begins assessing the destruction left behind by Melissa, families across South Florida are hoping aid arrives quickly for those most in need.
“Food, medicines,” Casdelao said. When asked if she hopes they get that help, she nodded and said, “Yes.”
Authorities in Cuba report dozens of deaths linked to the hurricane, a storm already being described as one of the most destructive in the nation’s recent history.
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