Cloudy skies and occasional breezes characterize the weather this morning in the city of Camagüey, where normality prevails and locals remain aware of the trajectory of Hurricane Melissa.
The people of Camagüey are showing solidarity with the inhabitants of the areas directly affected by the phenomenon, such as Granma, Holguín and Santiago de Cuba, the latter where Melissa entered in the early hours of today, through the El Francés beach area, in the vicinity of Chivirico, municipality of Guamá.
The Camagüey Meteorological Center reported today at 6:20 am a wind gust of 79 kilometers per hour (km/h) at the Palo Seco station, Guáimaro, while rainfall accumulations of 24 millimeters were recorded in that same place and 14.2 millimeters in Nuevitas.
During the morning, the institution forecasts a probability of rain in the province associated with the cloud cover accompanying Melissa, weakened to category 2, with maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h with higher gusts.
The meteorological system, Civil Defense and the Defense Councils in the province of Camagüey, continue to monitor the rainfall and the effect on the sea, which are forecast on the north coast, when the hurricane exits through an estimated point between Banes and Punta Lucrecia.
Upon leaving Cuba, specialists indicate, much of the eastern region will continue to be affected by the winds of the tropical storm, and rain may continue into the afternoon.
Solidarity and a readiness to quickly recover from the damage caused by this event in some parts of the region, along with a commitment to supporting those in need, are the prevailing sentiments among the residents of Camagüey today. This comes after days of preparation to face the onslaught of Melissa, one of the most intense hurricanes in the history of this type of event.
Photos: Yaniuska Macías Rivera
With information from the Cuban News Agency (ACN)
