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Hurricane Melissa's Eyewall Pushing Ashore in Jamaica; Hamas Accuses Israel of Obstructing Search for Hostages; Trump's Asia Tour; U.S. Has Deported 527,000 in Trump 2.0; California Governor Considering 2028 Run; Saudi Minister Previews Crown Prince's Visit to White House. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired October 28, 2025 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR AND U.S. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Straight up 10 o'clock here in New York City. Thanks so much for joining us for the second
hour of CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Erica Hill, in for Becky Anderson.
We begin this hour in Jamaica where Hurricane Melissa's winds have picked up speed as the powerful eyewall pushes in to the island's coast. Its
landfall, by all accounts, has the potential to be catastrophic.
Melissa, of course, is still a category five storm and has maintained that intensity. It is the strongest storm on record so far this year. And as it
does begin barreling into the coast, the predictions of what could come are chilling -- life-threatening floods, landslides, incredible damage to
infrastructure.
All of that could quickly become a reality. They are not directly in the crosshairs, of course, but a number of other Caribbean nations are also
feeling the effects of this hurricane and will not be spared from damage. CNN's Jessica Hasbun is joining us now live from Santo Domingo in the
Dominican Republic.
And how is the D.R. preparing at this hour for what is to come?
JESSICA HASBUN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's expected to be real (INAUDIBLE) here in the capital --
(AUDIO GAP)
-- city of Santo Domingo and across the country. Over the last week, we have been pummeled by that heavy rainfall from Hurricane Melissa. Here in
the Dominican Republic, that major concern continues to be saturated soil, flash flooding and landslides.
Authorities remain on high alert, with emergency crews monitoring rivers and low-lying areas. The center of emergency operations has placed 24
provinces -- that's about most of the country -- under alert.
So far, the ministry of agriculture has reported damages of more than 1.3 billion Dominican pesos, which is about US$23 million, to the agricultural
sector. Officials stressed this is only preliminary since the storm is ongoing and may cause more destruction in the coming days.
Meteorologists warn that Melissa's broad cloud shield, stretching hundreds of miles beyond the storm center, will continue to unleash heavy rainfall
here, until at least Thursday.
Rainfall totals are expected to reach about 6-8 inches, especially in the southern provinces under red alert, including Pedernales, Barahona,
Independencia and Bahoruco.
And while the storm's core is moving toward Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas, like you mentioned, forecasters say that once Melissa passes the Bahamas,
its influence could actually worsen rainfall again here in the Dominican Republic, as bands wrap back over the island.
Along the Caribbean coast from Cabo Beata in Pedernales to Punta Salinas in Bani, small and fragile boats are being told to remain in port because of
dangerous winds and high waves.
Here in Santo Domingo, the rain remains steady with soil already saturated. Authorities fear any additional downpour could trigger even more flooding
and landslides. You can feel a little bit of rain is already coming. That's all for now, reporting live from Santo Domingo, back to you.
HILL: Jessica, appreciate it. Thank you.
I want to take you now to Kingston, Jamaica's capital. The mayor of Kingston, Andrew Swaby, is joining us now.
Mr. Mayor, appreciate your time. I know it's obviously a very busy day for you. I had seen, you posted a video. You were out, trying to help people
get safely into shelters, including the city's homeless population.
We also heard, though, accounts earlier that the shelters were not nearly as full as officials would like to see.
Where do things stand at this hour?
MAYOR ANDREW SWABY, KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Well, in terms of -- thanks for having me, let me say at first.
But in terms of our homeless population, up to last night, we had about 100 persons in our shelter. That from the homeless population. The other
shelters we have accounted for 700 persons.
We -- people at first were a bit reluctant to leaving. But I'm seeing over the last 24 hours persons are more going into the into the shelters. Up to
this morning, I know that Jamaica fire brigade services had been -- had taken in some persons.
So they are heeding the call. Would have wished that they would have come a little bit earlier. But it is what it is. And we are working to get them in
before this hurricane hits the island.
[10:05:05]
HILL: The National Hurricane Center is warning of total structural failure, that that could be possible. We've heard from a number of
officials in Jamaica about improvements that were made to infrastructure, changes that were made.
How confident are you, though, in terms of the infrastructure and what this storm could mean?
SWABY: Obviously, our infrastructure will get some battering from this hurricane. What we -- what we have done, we have pre-positioned some heavy
duty equipment at strategic location.
Because, you know, Kingston is a center of government and it is a center of our economy. So we have to put ourselves in a position that we can recover
as quick as possible.
HILL: This is such a massive storm. I know that Jamaica has dealt with storms but with a storm of this magnitude, as we know and one that has
maintained this magnitude for so long, there is an increased concern about just the amount of time that the storm could spend over Jamaica.
What are you hearing from officials in this moment?
SWABY: Well, the -- we -- I know we are in uncharted waters. We have never had the experience of a category five hurricane. And we all, as indicated
earlier, that our infrastructure will certainly take a battering a bit.
I'm much more optimistic, however, because, in terms of planning, for example, last year in Beryl, it took some time for us to recover in terms
of electricity in some communities.
The Jamaica public service so far had garnered 60 persons from our neighboring -- one of our neighboring Caribbean countries to be in the
island from now so we can respond.
So in terms of preparation, all the agencies are prepared, all the agencies are working together. And so we will certainly try our best to recover, to
make sure normalcy come back to the island.
HILL: It's such an important point that you lay out about the collaboration with your neighboring countries. Having covered a number of a
number of hurricanes here in the United States, that's something that we talk about when we're talking about the islands.
If you're talking about, for example, Florida, it's easier to pre-position, whether it's, you know, trucks to help restore the electricity, earth
movers, whatever it may be, easier to pre-position those in neighboring states and drive them in.
Obviously added concerns when it's an island nation.
In terms of what you've been able to receive from those other countries, can you walk us through a little bit about how they are helping
specifically?
SWABY: Well, those activities are mostly at the central government level. And they're -- and also with our Jamaica public service, making some links
with other their partners in other islands.
We have a department agency, the Office of Disaster Preparedness, Emergency Preparedness. That so far has been working with us. It just takes a
collaboration in making sure that all agencies are involved.
For example, the hurricane season would have started in June and we would have been starting to prepare from that. Here at the municipality, we have
our regular maintenance that begins at June, where we make sure that our gullies are cleaned and making sure that they are maintained.
So it's a collaboration that started at June. It's -- obviously it would have been ramped up, given that this Hurricane Melissa is upon us. But it
really didn't start just now. It started from June.
HILL: Yes, which is such an important point.
Mr. Mayor, I know you are busy and that phone reminds us as well. Thank you again, sir, for your time.
SWABY: OK. Thanks for having me.
HILL: CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam is also in Kingston, Jamaica, at this hour and is joining us live now.
So Derek, you were walking us through a little bit, talking about some of the preparations. There are all these concerns about just how widespread
the damage could be and what this could mean specifically for the area where you are as water comes back down, potentially, from the mountains.
DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes. And that is an important point. And I'm going to touch on all of that. But I have to provide this latest
information, Erica, because it's so critical of what we're witnessing as the eyewall.
The most powerful part of the storm is making landfall over the western parts of Jamaica, west of where we're located here in Kingston. But this is
critical. Hurricane hunters have just found that the winds now are at 185 miles per hour and the storm's pressure has dropped to 893 millibars.
Remember, we talked about that a little while ago, about how that's a measure of the strength of the storm.
This is the third strongest storm. And it will be the second strongest upon landfall. And it's one of the strongest, deepest pressures ever recorded in
the Atlantic Basin. Here's my concerns, this storm is making its final approach into western Jamaica right now.
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And it is a strengthening, deepening hurricane. And I've been through a lot of these. And when it is making its final approach onto land and it's still
strengthening, that is a recipe for disaster.
I am so concerned about what is going to unfold over western Jamaica. It's going to be a full-on catastrophe. There will be a humanitarian crisis
going forward for the communities there that are impacted by this, because --
(CROSSTALK)
HILL: Derek, can -- ?
VAN DAM: -- winds of 185 miles per hour.
HILL: Just, can I have you elaborate?
VAN DAM: Say that again?
HILL: Yes, Derek, can you elaborate on that point?
Because, as we have you up, we were also -- we can see -- and maybe in the control room, if we could just put that picture up again of just the size
of the storm -- Derek, as you're talking about, so this is a storm that is only strengthening as it gets closer. We know it is also incredibly slow-
moving.
So the fact that it's going to sit on top of land that is still dealing with these warm waters in the Caribbean, that it is gaining strength, that
it is dropping in pressure and there frankly isn't a lot of land in its way as it moves over Jamaica and back into the water.
Can you just set that stage for us in terms of how that also makes this event different from perhaps what we may have seen in the past?
VAN DAM: Yes. Yes, absolutely. This is, Erica, a slow-moving catastrophe. It's moving along basically at the pace of a brisk walk, for instance. So
that's going to just lengthen this agonizing storm that is going to just crawl through this island nation.
So what makes this unique?
Well, the fact that it is a strengthening hurricane upon its landfall approach. And the fact that it has gone into this rare territory in terms
of its strength, comparing it to other hurricanes, that's a good measure of how strong and powerful this storm is.
I mean, you look at the satellite, you could see down to the ocean surface in some of them. I was looking at the visible satellite a little while ago.
It's satellites taking pictures of Hurricane Melissa from space, directly looking below. It's so clear.
One of the driest eyes on record, I believe. That's a whole 'nother conversation. But basically, that gives you an indication of how powerful,
how perfectly symmetrical this storm actually is.
So when it comes ashore, like it's doing right now, western portions of Jamaica, they will have catastrophic winds. And it will take the leaves off
of trees. It will rip bark off of the sides of trees.
Think of it like this. For maybe our American audience or even our international audience, there was a tornado in Paris a couple of weeks ago.
I couldn't believe it. This is like having a continuous wall of tornadoes pushing through but over a large span.
A cat five like this is like a strong EF3 tornado. But if you've got these winds that cover 30 miles, 50 kilometers in diameter, the destruction is
going to be immense, far more immense than a locally isolated tornado would create.
So it is going to be widespread. And that is what makes this storm so unique, so historic and so generational, is that the power and the strength
all coming together at the time of landfall in a very vulnerable part of Jamaica, there will be -- there will be a humanitarian disaster following
this.
And I'm not afraid to say that because I know and I've seen the vulnerabilities of the communities there. There are so many low-lying
areas. There are people who were not able to evacuate. It's just simply impossible.
And the meeting of these catastrophic winds with the flash flood, torrential rains and mudslides, storm surge that will come onshore, it will
be almost impossible to reach some of the communities, especially those ones in the higher elevations that are so hard to get at on a given -- any
given day, let alone a day that takes away your access road.
For instance, this is what Jamaicans are facing as Melissa comes ashore right now.
HILL: And Derek, I think you bring up such important points there. The fact that this will be a humanitarian disaster in Jamaica and likely in
other areas of the Caribbean as well. We were speaking with Patrick Oppmann a short time ago in Cuba. Of course, the amplified issues in that island
nation as well.
But you talk about the access. And I think such a such an important description that you gave in the way that these winds and the water,
frankly, will rip the leaves off the trees, I mean, will just devastate any access to these communities.
In terms of the pre-positioning that we know of, that's been done by officials there in Jamaica, how much of that do you think will actually be
able to meet the need, based on what you've heard from folks there?
VAN DAM: Yes, I talked to the prime minister of Jamaica yesterday and he told me that the government of Jamaica activated over 800 shelters,
evacuation centers for individuals. But you know, I look at the building behind me.
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There are a lot of unfinished construction sites. There are a lot of homes and buildings that are made out of sheet metal, concrete blocks perhaps.
That cannot take the full force of a 185-mile-per-hour hurricane. That's likely even strengthening further right now.
So that type of material -- I'm not saying that building in particular -- but the sheet metal, the rebar, the concrete of an unfinished building, the
weak infrastructure is going to be destroyed.
National Weather Service said it themselves. They have the strongest wording that I've ever seen leading up to a hurricane, that complete
structural failure, where the inner core of the hurricane makes landfall.
And, you know, I'm looking at satellites. I hope you're pulling them up. I'm sure the control room is doing that. But it's making its way onshore
right now.
And in that western part of Jamaica, I think the St. Elizabeth Parish, that right front quadrant -- when I say that, you dissect a hurricane into four
quarters, four quarters.
The right hand side of that hurricane, that is the most lethal, the most deadly part of a hurricane, because that counterclockwise rotation around a
cyclone, a low pressure or a hurricane, is going to push up the water, it's going to create the catastrophic winds.
And it is going to be made worse by the mountains, that line, this entire landscape of Jamaica.
HILL: Yes, it's such a great point. As we look at it, it is also -- we do have that image of Derek.
And just, you know, to your point, it is so massive. It is that most dangerous, its upper right quadrant. And it literally covers the entire
country of Jamaica and then some.
I know you and your team will always take every precaution to stay safe. We appreciate you joining us, as always. We'll keep checking in with you.
Derek, thank you.
VAN DAM: Yes, absolutely. Absolutely.
HILL: Still to come here, Israel and Hamas trading accusations over the return of the remains of hostages, threatening the already fragile
ceasefire in the region.
And in Asia, a day of mutual praise as the leaders of Japan and the United States meet for the first time in person and are intent in talking about
the strengthening relationship between the two countries.
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HILL: The ongoing dispute between Israel and Hamas over the return of hostage remains is now intensifying and it's putting the fragile ceasefire
there in jeopardy.
Israel is accusing Hamas of violating the deal after it determined that human remains handed over yesterday did not, in fact, belong to any of the
13 hostages, missing hostages, who have still not been returned. The remains have not been returned.
Hamas, for its part, is accusing Israel of hampering efforts to locate remains by refusing to allow Hamas and the Red Cross to search in areas
currently under Israeli occupation. CNN's Paula Hancocks is tracking all of these developments and joins us now from Abu Dhabi.
So Paula, where do things stand?
[10:20:00]
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Erica, as we understand it, Israel was going to hold a security consultation this Tuesday afternoon to
discuss this problem.
There is growing anger. There's growing frustration within Israel that the remains of these hostages have not yet been located and have not yet been
returned to Israel.
Now we understand that there are a few options that Israel is looking at this point, potentially militarily. They could move their military further
into Gaza, so occupying even more of the Strip than it does at the moment under this ceasefire deal, potentially taking control of the Netzarim
Corridor.
This is an area which cuts the Gaza Strip in half. So militarily, it could make moves. We understand they're also considering whether or not to
restrict humanitarian aid. But that is something we understand that the United States is against.
An Israeli official says they will be coordinating their response with the United States. But we're seeing as well rallies in Hostage Square in Tel
Aviv, the Hostage Families Forum being increasingly vocal and angry at what they believe is Hamas dragging its feet.
We've heard from president -- the prime minister's office of Benjamin Netanyahu saying that this constitutes a clear violation of the agreement.
Now as you mentioned as well, Erica, for its part, Hamas is saying they are unable to locate some of these remains because Israel is impeding their
efforts. We know, on Sunday night, there was Hamas gunmen.
And also alongside them, the Red Cross, going to certain areas where Israel was occupying those areas further east. Israel pulled back so there was no
confrontation and there was a search that was carried out there.
But Hamas is saying that they're unable to do that now, that they're unable to get to areas in the further east of the Gaza Strip to try and locate
remains. So there is increasing anger and frustration.
There is also, though, on the upside, an Egyptian team, we know, that's on the ground at this point. They have heavy equipment. We know that they have
the expertise to be able to try and find bodies amongst rubble. And they are trying to help this process as well.
The United States seems a little more reflective on just how difficult this task is to find these remaining 13 hostages. We did hear from the U.S. vice
president, JD Vance, saying this is difficult. This will not happen overnight.
But we are hearing from the Israeli side that they believe Hamas knows the location of more remains than they are admitting to, Erica.
HILL: All right. We'll continue to follow those developments, Paula. Appreciate it. Thank you.
The leaders of the U.S. and Japan praising one another as they met on the second leg of Donald Trump's Asia tour. Prime minister Sanae Takaichi
touting what she calls the new golden age of the U.S.-Japan alliance.
The two countries also signing agreements involving trade and rare earth minerals. The meeting comes as the newly elected prime minister is also
looking to boost national security to counter growing Chinese influence. CNN's Hanako Montgomery is in Tokyo.
I spoke with her a short time ago about today's events involving the two leaders and the potential impact on future U.S.-Japanese relations.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It started off with a bilateral summit between Trump and Takaichi.
And again, we heard a lot of praise coming from both leaders, just reaffirming the strong U.S.-Japan alliance, both of them talking about
wanting to take the U.S.-Japan relationship to new heights and really go to a golden age of this new alliance.
Now also, Erica, I think you just saw there. But Trump and Takaichi were aboard the USS George Washington earlier on Tuesday, where they again
addressed troops with one another. Takaichi actually went on stage with Trump. And again, you heard Trump complimenting the new Japanese prime
minister.
And before I kind of go on, I do want to point out here that Takaichi actually rode on Trump's helicopter Marine One with Trump to Yokosuka Naval
Base. And just that fact alone is pretty astounding. It's pretty rare for a foreign leader to join Trump aboard a helicopter.
So it really just goes to show how close the two leaders have gotten in such a short amount of time.
Now again at USS George Washington, we heard Trump praising Takaichi, commending her for being the first female Japanese prime minister. I want
you to listen to this.
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TRUMP: This woman is a winner. I have such respect for Japan and the country and now I have a really great respect for the new and incredible
prime minister.
[10:25:00]
I have to say this, the first female prime minister.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MONTGOMERY: Now, of course, there was a lot of pomp and pageantry. But also, I do think, Erica, there was purpose.
As you mentioned, they did sign rare critical earths deal between the two of them, saying that they were committed to working with one another to
secure a more stable supply chain, especially in the face of China and its near monopoly on rare earths.
And also, we did see with Takaichi, she was able to really build that personal rapport with Japan's most important ally, the United States.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HILL: Hanako Montgomery there, reporting from Tokyo.
There will, of course, be a good amount of attention focused on president Trump's final stop in Asia, which includes an expected meeting on Thursday
with Chinese president Xijin. That is expected to happen when he makes his way to South Korea.
This comes after months of uncertainty when it comes to trade, both countries threatening to impose massive tariffs before stepping back.
So what could happen when Trump and Xi finally meet?
Billionaire CEO Stephen Schwarzman has served as an intermediary between the two leaders and is optimistic that the meeting will yield results.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHEN SCHWARZMAN, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, THE BLACKSTONE GROUP: I would say, without much hesitation, it's going to be a very positive outcome between
the two countries. They've gone a long way to develop a much more functional relationship, which is good for the world.
And I've been involved in some of those discussions. Both presidents want to, you know, lower the temperature significantly in that area. And I think
they're going to find their way to doing that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Schwarzman was speaking at the Future Investment Initiative Conference in Saudi Arabia. Becky will be reporting from there throughout
the week.
Still ahead here on CONNECT THE WORLD, Jamaica is bracing for catastrophe as Hurricane Melissa lashes the island nation. We continue with our
breaking news coverage after this quick break.
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HILL (voice-over): Welcome back to CONNECT THE WORLD. Here's a look at your headlines.
Hurricane Melissa's eyewall is starting to move ashore in southwest Jamaica. The category five storm is actually gaining strength as it pushes
into the island. And experts worry this is, frankly, a recipe for a humanitarian disaster, the U.N. weather agency predicting catastrophic
damage and flooding.
The leaders of the United States and Japan praising one another in their first face-to-face meeting in Japan.
[10:30:00]
President Trump calling prime minister Sanae Takaichi a winner as the two addressed American troops at a U.S. Naval base. Earlier, they signed
agreements on trade and rare earth minerals.
Israel and Hamas trading accusations over the return of the remains of deceased hostages. Israeli officials say the remains, which were handed
over in yesterday's return, were not those of any of the hostages who have not been returned and is now accusing Hamas of violating the already
fragile ceasefire agreement.
Hamas, for its part, says Israel is obstructing its efforts to work with the Red Cross to search areas in Gaza under Israeli occupation.
HILL: Returning to our breaking news at this hour, we are closely following Hurricane Melissa, the powerful category five storm, the
strongest storm on record this year.
The storm's powerful eyewall is now pushing into Jamaica's coast and it is threatening to produce life-threatening floods, landslides, incredible
damage to the island, to the infrastructure in the coming hours.
A short time ago, my colleague, Kate Bolduan, spoke with an American couple riding out the storm at their hotel in Falmouth, Jamaica, both of them
understandably nervous about what is to come.
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MARITZA CAVER-BLAKE, NEWLYWED: They closed down a restaurant here and put bedding and boarded it up everywhere and made sure that beds and
everything, they have food and snacks and all of that. They told everyone to pack in an emergency bag so that we will have that and all our important
documents.
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: And, Maurice, you're near Montego Bay, the other side of the island from Kingston. Officials have been concerned of people
not being prepared enough for what is setting in.
When was the last time you guys were able to get outside?
What does it look like?
What are you seeing outside your hotel room right now?
MAURICE BLAKE, NEWLYWED: Right now we're seeing heavy winds and rain. The last time we were out, we went to dinner yesterday at 8:30. They put
everybody on lockdown at 9:00.
So everybody had to be back in their room and report back to them and let them know that we made it back to our room safely. So that was the last
time we were out.
BOLDUAN: How does it feel, guys?
I mean, does it feel -- I don't know -- does it feel scary?
Does it feel safe?
Like, what are you -- when you hear, like --
(CROSSTALK)
CAVER-BLAKE: It feels like my nerve --
BOLDUAN: -- the biggest storm to ever hit Jamaica is coming in, what do you think?
CAVER-BLAKE: My nerves are wrecking (ph) and I just can't believe it. It's a different ballgame when it comes to a hurricane compared to tornadoes in
Arkansas. That's very different.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: CNN meteorologist Chris Warren is following the latest developments for us, live from the CNN Weather Center.
So walk us through where the storm is now and what's to come in the hours ahead.
CHRIS WARREN, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, also, Erica, what we just heard was it doesn't compare to tornadoes. One of the big differences, what she was
talking about, what she's familiar with tornadoes, they'll come and they'll be gone in a matter of minutes. Right. They can do absolute devastation.
This, which is going to do some similar devastation, catastrophic impacts with the wind, Erica. But this is going to produce tornado damage, tornado-
like damage but last for hours and hours.
Right now the latest with this storm, it has gotten even stronger as it is approaching landfall. Now some of the worst of the worst of the weather is
happening right now for some in Jamaica. This is a 185-mile-per-hour, category five hurricane -- only goes up to category five and we are getting
on the high, high end of category five.
Just the gusts alone, 215-mile-per-hour gusts associated with this, now those winds, the 185, gusts at 215 is going to be right in here as this --
I mentioned, some of the worst of the weather is happening right now is this right in here. The water is coming up. The surge is coming up in
Kingston. Winds are sustained at 33 miles an hour.
But you get over here, we're topping 100 easily with what we're seeing here. Again, this is the worst of the weather right in there. The eye,
that's calm, dead calm. So when we talk about -- you're going to hear a lot, when landfall happens. But that's essentially just halftime.
That really just takes a little bit of a break in the eye. Then it goes again. But anywhere there is this purple right here. And we're not hearing
anything about it right now because you could not survive living right here or being right here right now with this kind of winds that are coming
onshore right now in Jamaica.
So we don't know what's happening right now right here, where some of the worst of the weather is happening. But what we do know, as we look at
Jamaica, there's so much going on right now with the landfall and what's going on outside of landfall.
Here is the track. So this is the area. Right in here, Treasure Beach, Santa Cruz, Black River that are taking the brunt.
[10:35:00]
This is the front lines, absolutely getting crushed right now. Likely not going to be recognizable once we're able to get in here and see these
areas.
And with this map version, you can also see some of the terrain here. So the water, the surge is going to be coming up, coming up to Treasure Beach.
Then also you get up in elevation. If you can imagine winds will be even stronger than what they're going to be at the surface, right at sea level.
And then the slopes as well are going to be taking the brunt of a lot of rain, Erica, which -- you combine the destruction that we're going to see
in these communities, unfortunately, with the wind.
But even outside of that center, outside of that circle, we're going to see some significant, life-threatening, catastrophic rainfall because we're
going to see a lot of flooding, even potentially landslides and mudslides.
HILL: Yes, there is a lot to come, Chris, really appreciate it. Thank you.
CNN's Patrick Oppmann is also following developments here. He's joining us live from Santiago de Cuba in Cuba.
So Patrick, just walk us through what is expected to hit that island nation.
And also what are the preparations at this hour?
PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, all day during the day yesterday, we saw people out in the street, trying to buy food, get cash of
ATMs, perhaps get a little bit of little bit of gas if they're lucky enough to have a generator, which is a real luxury on this island.
Today, it's just a ghost town. The outer bands have begun arriving behind me. The Sierra Maestra Mountains, these huge, majestic mountains which you
see all the time in the city, have now been blotted out by those red bands.
And we're just starting getting a light rain that's slowly picking up. I expect, by this evening, I will not be able to stand where I am right now.
We will probably have to be hunkered down as these powerful, powerful winds roar across the city, the second largest city in Cuba.
And I was here when Hurricane Sandy hit. It was only a category two -- and I shouldn't say only because it caused widespread devastation. It looked
like a bomb had gone off in the city.
I've been telling people, Santiagueros (ph), that it's going to be so much worse. And they really don't have a concept. I've covered category five
hurricanes before. It is frightening. It's amazing that nature can do that. It can destroy very, very well-built buildings. It can cause tornadoes to
spawn. It causes an immense amount of flooding.
Streets become rivers in, you know, a space of hours. So you just cannot underestimate what a storm like Melissa can do. And there are very few
people here in Cuba that have seen a storm like Melissa.
When you live on an island like Cuba, you really have no choice but to ride out the storm. To have a vehicle is a luxury. To be able to get out of the
way of the storm really isn't a possibility for so many people. A lot of transportation has already been canceled. And so people now are making
their final preparations.
And you just wonder if it's going to be enough. I look around and, having covered these kinds of storms before, I see a lot of houses that I just,
unfortunately, don't think are going to make it. And there are people inside those houses.
And you just hope that, you know, that you're wrong. And these houses, as they have over the years, over the decades, withstand a storm but it's very
old construction. It's not, you know, modern building techniques at all.
And this is a city that's over 500 years old. A lot of buildings have withstood the worst over the years from hurricanes. I don't know if they'll
be able to withstand the worst of Melissa.
HILL: Yes, absolutely. And, of course, preparation is more difficult, as we know, in certain countries than others.
How is the government helping people to prepare and to get to safety?
OPPMANN: You know, Cubans have a long tradition of getting ready. But there's an economic crisis going on now in Cuba that is the worst in
decades. And, you know, some of it is the Cuban government's mistakes in economic planning.
Some of it is increased U.S. sanctions, less help from Venezuela. But you know, when we drove down here, we brought all our gasoline with us from
Havana. We brought a generator with us. We brought our food and water with us because we did not expect to find those things. And we've been largely
proven right.
So you know, that is what, you know, being a CNN crew allows you to do. Most people here just don't have that kind of resources at their disposal.
We have our generator running right now. That's how we're able to talk to you. Live power has been out more than it has been on in the last several
days here in Cuba, in Santiago de Cuba.
And that's before the storm has really had any impact. I expect we will be without power for days or perhaps even longer, perhaps weeks or, you know,
many weeks following a storm of this kind of impact.
It is the kind of storm no one has seen here in a very long time. And it's going to hit one of the largest population centers. And it's all bad news.
You just keep hoping that there'll be some good news at weekends. And every update is -- just continues to get worse and worse.
And that's the unfortunate reality of what we're preparing to face here.
HILL: Yes, it is true. It is certainly unfortunate and devastating. But it is important to look at that and to try to prepare for what comes next.
Patrick, appreciate it as always. Thank you.
I want to go back now to Jamaica.
[10:40:00]
The Jamaican information service is holding a press conference about Hurricane Melissa. Let's listen in.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
EVAN THOMPSON, PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR, METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE OF JAMAICA: tropical storm winds right across the island. Here we see on our picture
some of the areas that are expected to be mostly inundated from storm by storm surge. That is also expected to come onshore.
And this would be in those bays and inlets in the area of Black River. We expect significant storm surge, although the center is now expected to be
somewhat of Black River. So this might have to be updated slightly. But Black River will also experience storm surge.
Storm surge could get as high as 13 feet. That's high. That's a couple of stories high. And so you need to be very prepared for that kind of activity
if you're in any of those bays or inlets along the coast of St. Elizabeth in particular and even going into Clarendon.
So those traditional areas of storm surge impact, like Portland Cottage, Rocky Point, those are areas that, because of the geography, we are
expecting still to experience some amount of storm surge in those areas, although probably not as significant as we would have in St. Elizabeth
along the coast.
So anywhere, even along the coast of Manchester, parts of Alligator Pond and, you know, Treasure Beach area should also be looking out for that kind
of activity and going eastward as far as parts of St. Catherine.
And that is basically the presentation at this time. I'm sure you'll have some questions that will bring out some more information later. Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you so much.
Everyone, you heard it. It is strengthening.
HILL: So you've just been listening to a brief update there from officials in Jamaica. And a key point here, saying that the storm surge could be as
high as 13 feet.
Stay with us. We're going to fit in a quick break here. We'll be right back.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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HILL: Sources tell CNN the Trump administration plans to shake up the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, ICE, because it's not arresting
enough people. Homeland Security officials say more than 0.5 million undocumented immigrants have been deported since the start of Mr. Trump's
second term.
Daily arrests, though, are falling short of the White House's goal of 3,000 per day. CNN's Priscilla Alvarez joining us now with more on the new
reporting.
So just not enough people, Priscilla.
What more do we know here?
PRISCILLA ALVAREZ, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Erica. The White House earlier this year had set out that lofty goal, 3,000 arrests a day.
That is a high bar, especially for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has historically been strained by resources and personnel.
So they have largely been hovering under that 3,000-a-day goal. And that has frustrated the White House, which wants to see even more arrests on a
daily basis. So that has included, for example, this whole-of-government approach, of multiple federal agencies fanning out across the country to
assist ICE, including U.S. Border Patrol.
[10:45:05]
All the same, however, there are now plans and discussions underway to -- for this shakeup at ICE, which would include potentially at least a dozen
field directors at these agency field offices being reassigned.
So ICE has 25 field offices across the country. Those who are viewed as underperforming, therefore not reaching the number of arrests that the
administration wants to see, could be reassigned.
Now the other part of this, which is interesting and perhaps unprecedented, is having U.S. Border Patrol officials installed in those leadership
positions.
Now while there is often personnel transitioning from ICE to U.S. Border Patrol, having U.S. Border Patrol officials come into those leadership
roles out of the gate would be something that a lot of sources I've talked to say would perhaps be, again, unprecedented and cause even more tension
within the agency.
But the reason for this is perhaps unsurprising in that the leadership of the Department of Homeland Security and the White House has been very
pleased with what they've seen from the U.S. Border Patrol so far, 1,500 of them across the country.
They have been, in many cases, at the forefront of some of the most controversial confrontations between protesters and agents, as well as some
of these arrests, like the roving patrols at Home Depots and car washes.
Now in a statement, the Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said, quote, "While we have no personnel changes to announce at
this time, the Trump administration remains laser-focused on delivering results and removing violent, criminal illegal aliens from this country."
Now again, sources do say that plans haven't yet been finalized. But this is yet another example, an indicator of the underlying tension that
persists over the last several months and weeks between ICE and the White House, as the White House tries to reach its deportation goal of 1 million
deportations a year.
But that has not yet met what is operationally possible for ICE. So this shakeup appears to be a way for them to open the aperture on this more
aggressive crackdown across the country. Erica.
HILL: Some very interesting, important developments, Priscilla. Appreciate it. Thank you.
Here in the U.S., it is just one week to go until Election Day. This is mostly an off-year for elections, as it's known. Californians, though, have
an important proposition they're voting on that could help determine which party controls the U.S. House next year.
Governor Gavin Newsom has been pushing for Prop 50 as he looks ahead to next year's vote and beyond. He sat down with CNN's Elex Michaelson to
discuss.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM (D-CA): People talk about it -- and you'd be lying if it hasn't -- you haven't thought about it or processed it.
But that said, quite literally, I'm making the case -- that's why I have this initiative, Prop 50 -- there may not be a 2028 election that's free
and fair. So my focus is central to getting over the hump on November 4th of this year and then working on 2026 in the midterm reelection.
But look, when people, particularly people that have run before, et cetera, everybody knows the politician, the response, the kabuki; well, I'm just
focusing on my day job and we'll see where things go. So I try to be a little more honest about it and people ran with it.
ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: But to that point, for many years, you've said to me and several other people that you had subzero interest in
running and that -- how many ways can I say no?
So has something changed?
NEWSOM: Everything's changed. Everything changed in here in L.A. You were part of it. You saw it with the federalization of the National Guard. I
just think we're on the other side of something radically different, not marginally different.
Everything has changed in terms of my mindset and my focus, my energy, my perspective on the world we're living in, Trump and Trumpism, what he
represents and how serious and precious this moment is.
So, no, from that perspective, legitimately, I've changed. This country is changing and I'm calling it out. And I just feel like we have a
responsibility to be a little bit more clear and concise and precise in terms of our efforts.
MICHAELSON: This is the first TV interview you've done since the Department of Justice announced that they're going to be sending election
monitors into California to monitor what's happening with the Prop 50 election. It's a statewide election, not a federal election.
Why do you think they're doing that?
NEWSOM: Well, I mean, it's a pattern and practice. They're doing it as part of an intimidation strategy. They're trying to suppress the vote.
They're trying to chill the freedom of speech. We've seen that with this private police force, these increasing encroachment in terms of our civil
liberties.
no due process, people with masks jumping out of unmarked cars, we're seeing that in terms of the federalization, the militarization of American
cities with troops. It is part of practice from this administration.
They have no business being here. They have no basis being here for exactly the reasons you framed. It's a statewide election for a statewide
constitutional amendment. And so there's no pattern of practice in the past of violations of the Voting Rights Act.
And all of a sudden now, they seem to be champions of the Voting Rights Act, quite curiously, in some of the most diverse districts in this state,
at a particular curious and important time in American history, not just California history.
[10:50:04]
MICHAELSON: Obviously, 2024 was a federal election. But the Biden administration sent DOJ monitors to 87 different jurisdictions in that
election.
The California GOP put up this onto X, saying, "Governor, if there's nothing to hide or nothing wrong, why the concern in having the DOJ
observe?
"What's wrong with transparency?"
NEWSOM: Well, let's -- transparency, let's have the transparency, what went in to their request, allegedly, of the Department of Justice, the
state GOP and why they picked these particular five counties.
And what allegations or what assertions and what basis of fact are they asserting that there's been violations in the past?
Why these counties?
Why now?
Why a statewide election, very different than other federal elections or elections with candidates on the ballot?
This is, again, a proposition. Good people can disagree. They'll be accommodated as everyone should be accommodated. They'll have
determinations at the county level with the registrars to the extent they want to cooperate. That's up to them.
I'm just arguing for people to keep their eyes wide open at what's going on in the United States of America. I said this months and months ago. What's
happening in L.A. what's happened in California is a preview of things to come.
Watch this space with the DOJ. This is all teeing up 2026. Donald Trump does not believe in fair and free elections. He's trying to rig the 2026
election in plain and open sight. And that is obvious to anyone that's paying attention. And he's just winding up.
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HILL: You can catch, "THE STORY IS," with my colleague Elex Michaelson at midnight right here in New York. That is 9 pm in Los Angeles, 8 am in Abu
Dhabi.
We'll be right back.
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HILL: Becky Anderson is at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she's speaking with world dignitaries and business
leaders about the global economy.
Earlier today, she got the road map for the Saudi economy from the kingdom's investment minister, amid a shift in funding away from the
(INAUDIBLE) projects laid out in their Vision 2030 and toward AI.
The minister calling for less spending from the public investment fund on domestic projects and more investments from the private sector.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KHALID BIN ABDULAZIZ AL-FALIH, MINISTER OF INVESTMENT, SAUDI ARABIA: This is the time now to say to the private sector, you've seen us do what we
promised. You've seen us exceed our targets.
So public-private, it is time for us to maybe scale back on this government or PIF spend to prove and to cede some of these value chains and clusters
and let the private sector come in and start investing.
And this is what we're doing day in and day out at the ministry of investment, at the PIF and across the government.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: This comes as the crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, prepares for his expected visit to the White House next month. Here
is the minister's preview of that trip.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AL-FALIH: The U.S. is the biggest investor in the kingdom. Our currency is pegged to the dollar. Our income is mostly earned in dollars. Our global
investments are concentrated by virtue of our own interests in the U.S.
We had President Trump, who is a great friend of the kingdom, the crown prince. I think that's been documented and proven. So the trip, when it
happens.
[10:55:00]
Will be simply a continuing on building on that bedrock of relationship based on partnership and trust, common interests, common values, which is
not exclusive to our relationship with the U.S. But certainly the U.S. is the longest lasting and is strongest.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: And Becky Anderson will be live tomorrow from FII with more Saudi officials.
That is going to do it for today's edition of CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Erica Hill. Thanks so much for joining me. Be sure to stay with CNN. "ONE WORLD"
is up next.
END
