Specialist operator Simply Cuba says it is awaiting reports from its team after Hurricane Melissa made landfall overnight, but confirmed all its customers currently on the island are safe.
Melissa made landfall early this morning near the city of Chivirico in the Cuban province of Santiago de Cuba as an ‘extremely dangerous’ Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120mph.
Since then, Melissa has been moving north-east over eastern Cuba and has been weakening slightly, although with winds of 115mph. Melissa is expected to move back out to sea by around 8am local time.
Around 735,000 people have been evacuated, local authorities declared a state of alert in six eastern provinces, and there are reports power has been shut down to virtually all of eastern Cuba.
Simply Cuba said it is awaiting reports from its team in the area, but all its customers currently on the island are safe.
Trade Sales Manager Alan Meadows told Travel Gossip: “Santiago de Cuba, the island’s second largest city, was in the direct path of Melissa. We are still awaiting damage reports from our team.
“Mass evacuations have been in place over the last few days by the Government to protect lives. Melissa made landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 but still brought devastating wind speeds.
“The saving grace is that Cuba is a large island, so people can be moved out of danger.
“Hotels are used to severe weather and implement safety procedures.”
Alan said eight passengers who were touring the eastern part of Cuba left the area at the beginning of last week as per their itinerary and are now in Havana or Varadero.
