In brief
Cuba faces the challenge of restoring power and assisting millions affected by Hurricane Rafael, with recovery efforts underway as residents cope with the aftermath.
On Wednesday, Hurricane Rafael made landfall in Cuba, bringing winds up to 185 km/h (115 mph) and resulting in a significant blackout across the nation. President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that the electricity system was shut down, marking the second blackout in weeks, exacerbated by the effects of recent storms.Prior to the hurricane's arrival, officials evacuated approximately 70,000 residents as precautionary measures against anticipated storm surges, flash flooding, and potential mudslides. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported. The hardest-hit regions include the provinces of Artemisa, Mayabeque, and Havana.Díaz-Canel expressed confidence in the country's recovery efforts, stating, "Every step from this point forward is geared towards recovery. Together we will do it." However, the western areas experienced extensive flooding, and the impact on homes and infrastructures was severe.As power restoration efforts begin, many residents in Havana resorted to manual labor to clear debris left in the storm's wake, using shovels, brooms, and buckets to rid their surroundings of mud, branches, and fallen electric pylons. Elias Perez, a local resident, remarked on the improvisation required during the blackout, stating, "If you don't have gas, you have to improvise with coal. Yesterday my wife and I got by with coal. It's a mess, but we have to keep going." The situation is challenging, especially considering a previous blackout last month that left millions without power for four days due to the country's aging energy infrastructure. This prior incident coincided with Hurricane Oscar, a category one storm that inflicted damage on the northeastern coast.Natalia Martinez, another resident from Artemisa, shared her resilience, saying, "We know how to survive, we're in the dark all the time, you know." As recovery efforts continue, Cuba remains hopeful that the resilience of its people will lead to a swift return to normalcy.
