Hurricane Rafael has left Cuba reeling after making landfall as a powerful Category 3 storm on November 7, 2024. The hurricane hit western Cuba, particularly affecting the province of Artemisa, where it arrived around 4:15 p.m. local time. Just hours later, the storm downgraded to Category 2 as it continued to move northwest, with sustained winds reaching 105 mph. By the evening, the hurricane's eye was moving away from the island, but the aftermath was already devastating.
One of the most immediate consequences was the extensive damage to Cuba's electrical infrastructure. According to state television reports, nearly the entire population of approximately 10 million was without power. This marks the second time within the month the island's power grid has failed. The National Hurricane Center has issued forecasts predicting continued rain and the potential for flash flooding and mudslides, particularly across hilly terrains.
Meanwhile, residents have started to grapple with the storm's aftermath. Reports emerged from across various towns as people waded through knee-deep water filled with debris, and homes were left without roofs. The government has circulated messages urging people to stay indoors due to hazardous conditions. Emergency services are struggling to respond adequately as they are already stretched thin from the earlier Hurricane Oscar, which struck the island just weeks prior.
According to local witnesses, several towns have reported flooded streets following Rafael's arrival, leading to significant disruptions. Eyewitness accounts revealed scenes of chaos, with people rushing to secure their properties and stockpile essentials. Many had already been preparing for Rafael after the warnings were issued, but the storm's rapid intensification still caught many off guard.
The wreckage left by Hurricane Rafael adds to Cuba's lengthy list of recent natural disasters. Economy Minister Joaquin Alonso has stated the country's economic outlook for 2024 appears bleak. After enduring both hurricanes Oscar and Rafael together with another significant earthquake earlier this month, the prospects for recovery feel distant. The natural disasters have wreaked havoc on the already fragile infrastructure, which has been struggling with shortages of food, fuel, and basic necessities.
Following the devastation brought on by Rafael, Governor Reinaldo Garcia said they were examining how to restore order and expedite assistance to the most affected areas, especially where residents have lost their homes. An estimated 34,000 structures were reported damaged nationwide due to both hurricanes. Already, authorities have called for extended emergency blackouts, particularly impacting the capital city of Havana.
The situation is dire. Daily rolling blackouts have become commonplace, and as the damage from the storm sets back operational capabilities, immediate resources are being diverted to get people back to normalcy. Reports indicate some areas might face about 12 inches of total rainfall accumulation from the storm, adding to the chaos.
Officials expressed fears of mudslides and flash floods, urging communities near vulnerable terrains to evacuate if conditions worsen. “The economic development of our country depends greatly on energy and we have had electrical problems throughout the year, not just this month,” Alonso explained, emphasizing the interconnected nature of the crises affecting the island.
Cuba was already teetering on the edge of economic despair, with the economy contracting by 1.9% earlier this year as it struggled to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by crippling sanctions. Many Cubans have sought to leave the island due to these dire conditions, and continued devastation poses challenges for rebuilding efforts and any hope for economic recovery.
Meanwhile, as authorities work to assess the overall damage and begin recovery operations, many islanders are left to wonder how they will navigate the compounded challenges. The stark reality is evident—natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes have severely stressed the economy and infrastructure, igniting fears of another wave of emigration from the island.
Local reports suggest the government has begun mobilizing emergency personnel and supplies, but the extensive damage is posing serious operational challenges. With Rafael now moving across the Southern Gulf, the focus remains on recovery efforts and ensuring the safety of the population as conditions begin to stabilize.
