- Message by the President of the National Defense Council, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez: "Dear compatriots in eastern Cuba, where Fidel braved the dangerous Hurricane Flora and taught us forever what to do to protect life, which is the most important thing. I ask you to be alert, show solidarity, and not forget discipline in the face of this threat. We will prevail."
Melissa is about to hit Cuban soil. Until the last minute, there's hope that something will happen, "miraculously," to minimize the damage; but clinging to "maybe" is not a strategy, and there's no room for naivety.
This is a very dangerous hurricane, with highly destructive winds and intense rainfall; however, no time has been wasted in forecasting, implementing plans to evacuate people at risk, safeguarding resources, securing health institutions, rescue teams, and preparing hydraulic works to receive large runoff.
Nevertheless, it is never possible to foresee everything. There are circumstances not described in protocols, but which can be avoided, because once the hurricane hits, very little can be done.
And life, at that exact moment, depends not only on the vigilance of others, but also on disciplined and conscious behavior, on taking care of oneself and one's family responsibly. This is not the time to refuse to be evacuated or to be assisted if there is a risk situation, if there is a real danger of the river rising, the roof flying off, or the sea coming in.
Keep children in sight and safe, so that curiosity does not override caution, and be attentive to grandparents, who no longer have the ability to respond to emergencies in the same way. Keep essential medicines, food, drinking water, a telephone, and whatever else you need to stay informed close at hand. And never lose the solidarity and sensitivity of that Cuban spirit of caring for one another.
There are no half measures. Melissa will arrive with force, and there is great concern about what she could destroy in her path. But let's not allow life itself to be vulnerable. There are many ways to avoid this, and we Cubans know how to do it. (Granma)