Cuba Left Reeling After Fierce Hurricane Rafael
HAVANA (AP) — Cuba was left reeling Thursday after a fierce Category 3 hurricane ripped across the island, destroying hundreds of homes, knocking out the country’s power grid and damaging other infrastructure.
No Fatalities Reported
No fatalities were immediately reported in Cuba, and Hurricane Rafael had weakened to a Category 2 storm as it swirled across the gulf toward Mexico where heavy rains were expected in the coming days.
Damage and Destruction
Rafael crossed a western portion of Cuba on Wednesday evening about 75 kilometers (45 miles) west of Havana, where José Ignacio Dimas returned home from his night shift as a security guard to find his apartment building in the historic center of the city had collapsed.
“The entire front wall of the building fell,” José Ignacio Dimas said in a tight voice as he scanned the damage early Thursday. Like many buildings in the capital, it was aging and lacked maintenance.
Homes and Infrastructure Damaged
More than 461 homes collapsed because of the hurricane, Cuban authorities said. More than 283,000 people from across the country had been evacuated from their homes, 98,300 of which were in Havana, according to authorities.
Streets across the western swath of the country were riddled with utility poles, wires and trees.
Residents Come Together
In Havana, residents picked up what debris they could, but huge trees and fallen telephone lines lined the ground, blocking traffic. Concerned about food going bad due to blackouts, a group of residents opened an informal soup kitchen.
“If we don’t work together as neighbors, nobody does it,” said Ariel Calvo, who was helping to shovel debris Thursday morning.
Power Restoration Efforts
Lázaro Guerra, electricity director for the Ministry of Energy and Mines, said power had been partially restored in the island’s western region and that generation units were powering back up. But he warned that restoring power would be slow-going as crews took safety precautions.
Conclusion
Rafael is the 17th named storm of the season, and the 2024 hurricane season is expected to be well above average, with between 17 and 25 named storms. The forecast calls for as many as 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes.
FAQs
Q: How many homes collapsed due to the hurricane?
A: More than 461 homes collapsed.
Q: How many people were evacuated from their homes?
A: More than 283,000 people were evacuated from their homes.
Q: How many people were killed in the hurricane?
A: No fatalities were immediately reported.
Q: How is the power situation in Cuba?
A: Power has been partially restored in the island’s western region, but restoring power will be slow-going due to safety precautions.
Q: What is the forecast for the 2024 hurricane season?
A: The forecast calls for between 17 and 25 named storms, with as many as 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes.
