Hurricane Rafael made landfall in Cuba, causing widespread destruction and knocking out the country’s power grid. The storm, now a Category 2 hurricane, is located in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to weaken further. Cuba struggles with recovery efforts amidst an ongoing energy crisis, with many residents still without power after the storm’s passage.
Hurricane Rafael emerged as a formidable storm, making landfall in Cuba on Wednesday as a potent Category 3 hurricane, leading to widespread devastation. The hurricane’s intense winds resulted in the failure of the power grid and the collapse of numerous homes throughout the nation. By Friday, the storm had weakened to a Category 2 hurricane, situated 230 miles north-northeast of Progreso, Mexico, with sustained winds of 110 mph and a movement pattern toward the Gulf of Mexico. The storm’s trajectory predicted a westward movement, with forecasts indicating accompanying dangerous surf and rip currents. Yet, no hurricane warnings were issued as Rafael was anticipated to weaken further and linger over the gulf in the upcoming days. The storm previously impacted Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, inflicting additional harm before traversing Cuba, where it caused havoc in various regions, displacing 283,000 people and leaving damage in its wake. Cuba’s recovery has begun, with the government reporting the restoration of power to approximately 143,000 homes in Havana, although many residents continue to grapple with outages. This hurricane follows a rough period for Cuba, which has experienced energy crises leading to nationwide blackouts that last several days, exacerbating the struggles faced by the population. Rafael’s devastation serves as a stark reminder of the Caribbean’s vulnerability to tropical storms amidst an ongoing energy crisis.
Hurricane Rafael, which formed in the Caribbean, has showcased the devastating power of tropical storms, especially as it made landfall in Cuba, an island already in crisis due to recurring energy shortages. It is crucial to understand that storms like Rafael not only disrupt physical infrastructure but also further complicate ongoing hardships, effectively worsening conditions faced by communities affected by both natural disasters and systemic problems within the nation.
In summary, Hurricane Rafael inflicted serious damage across Cuba, knocking out power and collapsing homes while causing the evacuation of thousands. Though it has weakened, the challenges of recovery are compounded by the backdrop of an ongoing energy crisis. The Cuban government is actively working to restore services, yet many remain affected by the storm’s residual impacts, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and preparedness in hurricane-prone regions.
Original Source: apnews.com
