The passage of Hurricane Melissa through the municipality of “Jesús Menéndez” caused the Chaparra River to overflow and subsequent flooding in at least 19 low-lying areas, forcing the evacuation of more people than initially anticipated to four protection centers set up in the territory, reported Luis Enrique Escobar, a journalist for local radio.

Jesús Menéndez, Las Tunas.- In Vega de Mano —near the Bejuquero dam, in the La Yaya People's Council— several areas were flooded after the release of water from the local diversion dam. "We had to act quickly to evacuate these neighborhoods that were not initially expected," explained Escobar. Other communities affected by the flooding were 23rd Street in Batey and the Triángulo neighborhood, in the Canal People's Council.

In the easternmost municipality of Las Tunas, which was closest to the path of Tropical Storm Melissa, more than 13,000 people were evacuated, including those who sought refuge in the homes of relatives and neighbors.

Although the damage to agriculture has not yet been quantified, serious harm to plantain, cassava, and corn crops has been reported, especially in the northern area.

Commissions from the 12 defense zones are assessing the ravage caused by the winds, which reached speeds of 90 to 110 kilometers per hour, primarily to roofs and homes.

An encouraging note comes from the Juan Sáenz Dam, the province's largest, with a storage capacity of 112 million cubic meters of water. As of dawn on Thursday, it held almost 78, representing 69 percent of its filling volume and therefore posing no danger. "It has not yet been released because this could cause further flooding."

As the flow of the Chaparra River is already receding and the flooded areas are beginning to clear, the Jesús Menéndez Municipal Defense Council is already undertaking the necessary recovery actions.