The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left a scene of destruction in Contramaestre, a municipality in Santiago de Cuba, where an entire neighborhood was engulfed by mud and floodwaters following the overflow of several rivers in the area.
Journalist Mario J. Pentón shared a harrowing video on social media, capturing rooftops barely visible amidst the brown water and mud. In the footage, a local resident laments, "Look at this… Yamilé's house, my house… Oh my God, it's over. I've lost my home, I've lost everything…"
Destruction Captured in Heartbreaking Images
Footage from the eastern Cuban region reveals the scale of devastation. Uprooted trees, collapsed roofs, and streets turned into rivers illustrate the disaster's magnitude.
In the Revolico Contramaestre group, user Yonh Luis Abreu Alonso posted over 20 photos with the caption: "In Contramaestre, total disaster…", showcasing roofless homes, fallen power lines, and trees twisted by the storm's force.
Desperation and Solidarity on Social Media
Hundreds of Cubans, both inside and outside the island, reacted to Pentón's shared video. The comments express heartache, helplessness, and a deep sense of neglect:
"Every time I see something like this from my hometown, my heart breaks," one user wrote. "It's so sad to lose everything, especially knowing recovery is so difficult here," another added. "I live in Camagüey, but if anyone needs a place, my home is open," offered a third.
Others criticized the Cuban regime's lack of response: "Those at the top are just sitting around while the people are left without homes or food," one commenter noted. "The government says not to believe what's on social media, but the truth is there, beneath the water," another remarked.
A Family's Suffering Mirrors Many
The anguish in Contramaestre is also seen in the story of Grey, a Cuban residing in Miami, who shared on TikTok how Hurricane Melissa reduced her mother's home in the same Santiago locality to rubble. In the video, she shows collapsed walls, destroyed furniture, and personal items covered in debris, with the caption: "This is what my mother's house looks like… what pain, dear God."
Grey explained that while her mother survived, she has lost everything, and promised to help from abroad: "It's not easy to witness this from afar." Her account has become a symbol of the ongoing struggle and resilience of Cubans, repeatedly hit by natural disasters and the hardships of the system.
Widespread Impact of Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 3 storm, made landfall in the early hours of October 29 along the southern coast of Santiago de Cuba, with winds reaching 121 mph and torrential rain. The cyclone left a path of destruction throughout the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Guantánamo, Holguín, and Las Tunas, with over 9.8 inches of rain reported in Santiago alone, according to official and resident reports.
In Cayo Granma, images depict a bleak scene: collapsed houses, overturned boats, and families without shelter. In Palma Soriano and Baire, streets were littered with debris and uprooted trees. Even the Santuario del Cobre, one of the country's most iconic sites, sustained structural damage.
The impact of Melissa was widespread. Shared images from various provinces show the hurricane's trail of destruction, flooding, and chaos across eastern Cuba, with hundreds of homes damaged and severe disruptions to communications and electricity services.
As the number of displaced families rises, the regime's media remains silent or downplays the damage. Residents report a lack of immediate aid, absence of electricity, and communication difficulties with the hardest-hit areas.
"They say everything is fine from Havana, but here nothing is left," wrote a Contramaestre resident on social media.
Amid the tragedy, the Cuban people continue to rely on their solidarity and faith. "Material things can be replaced," a woman shared on Facebook, "but the soul takes longer to rise from the mud."
Key Questions on the Impact of Hurricane Melissa
What was the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Contramaestre?
Hurricane Melissa caused extensive damage in Contramaestre, submerging an entire neighborhood in mud and water due to overflowing rivers.
How did social media play a role in highlighting the disaster?
Social media was vital in bringing attention to the devastation, with residents and journalists sharing videos and images that showcased the extent of the damage.
What criticisms have been made regarding the Cuban government's response?
Critics have pointed out the lack of immediate assistance from the government, as well as the regime's tendency to downplay or remain silent about the disaster's impact.