Hurricane Melissa has left a heartbreaking scene of destruction at La Gran Piedra National Geopark in Santiago de Cuba: roofs torn off, homes collapsed, roads blocked, and the once-bustling tourist area now in ruins.
Thirteen years after Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc, the catastrophe has struck again with the same ferocity. However, the people affected are different, and their hopes for a swift recovery are grim.
Catholic priest Leandro NaunHung shared a video on social media capturing the extensive damage inflicted by Hurricane Melissa in La Gran Piedra, one of the most iconic yet neglected and hard-to-reach areas of Santiago de Cuba.
In the footage, the priest navigates through damaged homes, overcoming obstacles, and speaks with locals who sorrowfully recount how the storm ripped roofs off their homes and ruined their possessions.
"It didn’t leave a single roof intact," a woman lamented, describing the hurricane's impact on this rural community in Santiago de Cuba.
NaunHung also highlights the devastation at Hotel Gran Piedra, where the cabins have lost their roofs, and a local garden is nearly obliterated. Access to the garden, known for its beautiful flowers, remains blocked by fallen trees and landslides.
"The forest, the most beautiful part of La Gran Piedra, was wiped out," someone is heard saying during the tour.
The La Isabelica Museum, a former coffee plantation and World Heritage Site, also suffered significant damage. According to NaunHung, the building's roof was lost to the wind, although the main structure still stands.
Residents interviewed in the video express frustration that they have yet to receive any visits or assistance from authorities.
"Nobody has come here, Father. Nobody," repeated Mamita, a well-known worker at the garden, while showing the destruction wrought by Melissa.
Others noted that roads remain impassable, forcing people to travel on foot or by pack animals to reach their homes.
NaunHung's testimony and the voices of the residents illustrate the extent of the damage in a community that still remembers the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Many agree that Melissa was even more powerful.
"We thought it would be a Category Three, but to me, it felt like a Five," Mamita added, revealing what little remains.
The impact of Melissa has stripped La Gran Piedra of its tourist infrastructure and much of its housing. Residents are trying to rebuild with salvaged materials while awaiting help from the state or religious organizations.
"We are alive, but almost out of strength," concluded Mamita, who is a prominent figure in the community.
FAQs on Hurricane Melissa's Impact in La Gran Piedra
What was the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in La Gran Piedra?
Hurricane Melissa caused extensive damage in La Gran Piedra, including roofs being torn off homes, collapsed buildings, blocked roads, and the destruction of tourist sites such as Hotel Gran Piedra and La Isabelica Museum.
Have the residents received any aid following the hurricane?
As of the latest reports, residents have not received visits or assistance from authorities. They are attempting to rebuild with salvaged materials while waiting for aid from governmental or religious organizations.
How does Hurricane Melissa compare to Hurricane Sandy?
Many residents believe that Hurricane Melissa was more powerful than Hurricane Sandy, with some suggesting it felt like a Category Five storm despite initial expectations of a Category Three.