SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba — Hurricane Melissa made landfall near Chivirico in eastern Cuba early Wednesday, classified as a Category 3 storm. The hurricane, which previously impacted Jamaica, is one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes recorded, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

As the storm approached, hundreds of thousands of residents were evacuated to shelters across Cuba. A hurricane warning was issued for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas. At 3:10 a.m. local time, Melissa had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (193 kph) and was moving northeast at 10 mph (16 kph). The storm was located approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Chivirico and about 60 miles (97 kilometers) west-southwest of Guantánamo.

Forecasters predict that Melissa will traverse the island throughout the morning and continue on to the Bahamas later in the day. Heavy rainfall is expected to lead to life-threatening flooding and numerous landslides. A hurricane watch is also in effect for Bermuda.

On Tuesday, Melissa struck Jamaica with winds reaching 185 mph (295 kph). The storm is anticipated to produce a storm surge of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) and could drop as much as 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain in parts of eastern Cuba. Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, warned, "Numerous landslides are likely in those areas."

The hurricane poses a significant threat to Cuba, which is already grappling with a severe economic crisis marked by power outages, fuel shortages, and food scarcity. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed the nation, stating, "There will be a lot of work to do. We know there will be a lot of damage," and assured that "no one is left behind and no resources are spared to protect the lives of the population." He also cautioned citizens not to underestimate Melissa, calling it "the strongest ever to hit national territory."

In preparation for the storm, classes were suspended in provinces from Guantánamo to Camagüey. Meanwhile, officials in Jamaica began assessing the damage caused by Melissa. Reports indicate extensive destruction in southern Jamaica, particularly in Clarendon and St. Elizabeth, where areas were described as "under water," according to Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica's Disaster Risk Management Council.

The storm has also impacted healthcare facilities, damaging four hospitals and leaving one without power, which necessitated the evacuation of 75 patients. As of late Tuesday, over half a million customers in Jamaica were without electricity due to downed trees and power lines. The Jamaican government aims to reopen all airports by Thursday to facilitate the distribution of emergency relief supplies.

The storm has already been linked to seven fatalities in the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, where one person remains missing.