Key Takeaways:
– Cuba experience another power cut due to Hurricane Rafael’s strong winds.
After a previous nationwide blackout, millions again face electricity issues.
– U.S. State Department advises Americans to reconsider travel to Cuba in the light of Tropical Storm Rafael.
– Hurricane Rafael expected to continue towards Florida and the southeast U.S.
Cuba Suffers Power Outage
Cuba experiences a power outage yet again as the forceful winds of Hurricane Rafael disconnect the electricity across the island. The power crisis has struck Cuba just weeks after a nationwide blackout. The country’s electric company confirmed the blackout, attributing it to the strong winds from the Category 3 hurricane.
Impact of Hurricane Rafael
Hurricane Rafael blazed past the Cayman Islands, heading towards western Cuba on Wednesday afternoon. The storm made a landfall in Artemisa, just east of Playa Majana, arriving with maximum sustained winds of nearly 115 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Emergency Measures Apply
In response to the blackout, the Cuban government activated emergency measures to curtail demand. These included the suspension of classes, shutdown of state-owned workplaces, and cancellation of non-essential services. As the power cut loomed, locals were seen resorting to cooking on improvised wood stoves in anticipation of food spoilage in refrigerators.
Challenges with Energy Distribution
This power outage adds to the growing list of problems in the Cuban energy distribution sector. Cuba’s scarce and rotational electricity distribution has resulted in frequent disruptions. Damage by Hurricane Ian left houses without electricity for up to eight hours daily. The October blackout, deemed the worst in two years, took power authorities days to restore electricity for almost 2 million people.
U.S. State Department Advisory
The U.S. State Department issued an advisory for Cuba on Tuesday. Non-essential staff and American citizens were offered departure flights, while others were urged to “reconsider travel to Cuba.” This advisory came in response to what was then Tropical Storm Rafael, which proceeded to gain strength into a hurricane.
Cuban Civil Defense Calls for Preparedness
The Cuban Civil Defense issued a warning on Tuesday morning, urging locals to prepare for the storm as soon as possible. Staying put was advised as soon as the storm made landfall. An evacuation order had been released for 37,000 people in far eastern Cuba, specifically in the province of Guantanamo, due to the deteriorating weather conditions.
Projected Path of Hurricane Rafael
Hurricane Rafael is predicted to carry on its path towards Florida and the southeast U.S. Heavy rainfall is forecast, followed by storm surges. The surge predictions range from 1-3 feet in Dry Tortugas to 1-2 feet in the Lower Florida Keys. The evolving situation warrants a careful watch, providing crucial lessons in disaster preparedness and appropriate response strategies. The impact of Hurricane Rafael on Cuba serves as a reminder of the urgent need for resilient infrastructure in the face of climate crisis.
This recurring blackout due to weather events reinforces the need for Cuba to redesign its energy distribution system. Prioritizing upgrades could alleviate some of these issues in future hurricane seasons. Meanwhile, those in the projected path of Hurricane Rafael should heed appropriate disaster preparedness measures for their safety and security.