Tropical storm Oscar brings heavy rain and flooding to eastern Cuba after hurricane landfall

Tropical Storm Oscar brought heavy rainfall to eastern Cuba on Monday after making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane. The storm added to the island’s woes, which was already grappling with a massive power outage. Oscar’s maximum sustained winds reached 45 mph (75 kph) as it moved slowly westward at 2 mph (4 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami reported the storm’s location approximately 5 miles (10 kilometers) east of Guantánamo, Cuba.

Heavy Rainfall and Flooding Threat

The forecast predicted up to 14 inches (36 centimeters) of rain across eastern Cuba, with isolated areas potentially seeing as much as 20 inches (51 centimeters). Philippe Papin, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center, emphasized that the primary concern was the heavy rainfall, which could lead to significant flooding and even mudslides in the affected regions.

Oscar’s Path and Damage in Cuba

Oscar made landfall in Cuba’s eastern Guantanamo province, near the city of Baracoa, on Sunday evening. At that time, winds were recorded at 75 mph (120 kph). Earlier, the storm had also struck Great Inagua in the Bahamas, prompting evacuations due to home damage. In Cuba, reports surfaced of rain and flooding in low-lying areas across eastern provinces, with Cuban media noting that 2-meter (6.5 feet) swells hit the coast, causing damage to roofs and walls in Baracoa.

Future Movement of the Storm

U.S. forecasters predict that Oscar will emerge off Cuba’s northern coast late Monday, continuing toward the southeastern and central Bahamas on Tuesday. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Cuba’s north coast, spanning from the provinces of Las Tunas, Holguin, and Guantanamo to Punta Maisi, as well as for the south coast of Guantánamo and the southeastern Bahamas. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the north coast of Camaguey province and the central Bahamas.

Power Outages and Recovery Efforts

Cuba is still recovering from an islandwide power blackout that occurred on Friday. While some electricity was restored by Saturday, the majority of residents are still without power. The country’s energy minister expressed optimism that the electrical grid could be fully restored by Monday or Tuesday.