HAVANA — Hurricane Rafael slammed into the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday evening after passing through western Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane with winds so powerful they knocked out the entire power grid. country.
Massive waves crashed onto Havana’s shores as strong winds and rain lashed the city’s historic center, leaving trees strewn across flooded streets on Wednesday evening.
Forecasters have warned that Rafael could bring “life-threatening” storm surges, winds and flash flooding to western parts of the island after knocking out power and dumping rain on the Cayman Islands and Jamaica the day before. The extent of the damage was still unclear Wednesday evening.
The storm was located 90 kilometers west-northwest of Havana on Wednesday. After crossing the island, it slowed to a Category 2 hurricane. It had maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (170 km/h) and was moving northwest at 13 mph (20 km/h). h), according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm is bad news for Cuba, which is grappling with devastating power outages as it recovers from another hurricane two weeks ago that killed at least six people in the eastern part of the island .
Earlier Wednesday, the Cuban government issued a warning of an approaching storm as crews in Havana worked to fortify buildings and clean coastal areas in anticipation of flooding.
Classes and public transportation were suspended in parts of the island and authorities canceled flights to and from Havana and Varadero. In the meantime, thousands of people have been evacuated to the west of the island as a preventive measure.
Silvia Pérez, a 72-year-old retiree living in a coastal area of Havana, was among those preparing to prepare. While other neighbors moved appliances and other furniture from the downstairs homes, Pérez stocked up on water and food.
“It’s a night I don’t want to sleep, between the violent air and the trees,” Pérez said. “I’m afraid for my friends and family.”
Forecasters expected the storm to weaken over Cuba before strengthening into a hurricane in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.
The US State Department issued an advisory for Cuba on Tuesday afternoon, offering departure flights to non-essential personnel and US citizens, and advising others to “reconsider travel to Cuba due to the potential impact of Tropical Storm Rafael.
On Tuesday morning, Cuban Civil Defense called on Cubans to prepare as soon as possible, because when the storm makes landfall, “it is important to stay where you are.”
A hurricane warning was in effect Wednesday for the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, Havana, Mayabeque, Matanzas and the Island of Youth.
A tropical storm warning was in effect for the Cuban provinces of Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus, and Ciego de Avila, as well as the lower and middle Florida Keys, from Key West to west of the Channel 5 Bridge, and Dry Turtles.
Tuesday’s storm knocked out power to parts of Jamaica and caused flooding and landslides. Jamaica Public Service, the island’s electricity provider, said in a statement Tuesday that impassable roads were preventing crews from restoring power to some areas.
Power outages were reported in the Cayman Islands after a direct hit Tuesday evening, and schools remained closed Wednesday.
“Although conditions have improved on Grand Cayman, residents are advised to exercise extreme caution on roads and near coasts as rough seas and residual flooding risks may persist,” he said. indicated the government in a press release.
Heavy rain is also expected to spread northward toward Florida and neighboring areas of the southeastern United States by mid- to late-week. The Hurricane Center predicted that storm surges in Florida could reach up to 3 feet in Dry Tortugas and between 1 and 2 feet in the Lower Florida Keys. A few tornadoes were also expected Wednesday across the Keys and southwest Florida.
Rafael is the 17th Storm named of the season.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the 2024 hurricane season will likely be well above average, with between 17 and 25 named storms. Forecasts called for up to 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes.
An average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, including seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
Associated Press reporter Megan Janetsky contributed from Mexico City.
