The United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported on Saturday that Cuba has issued a hurricane warning for its northern coast as Hurricane Oscar nears. Landfall is expected by Sunday night, specifically impacting the provinces of Holguin and Guantanamo. The warning was part of the latest advisory from the NHC.
The Bahamas government also issued a similar alert earlier in the day, as Hurricane Oscar formed east of the Turks and Caicos Islands on Saturday. A hurricane warning remains in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands as well.
The NHC has cautioned that Oscar could bring heavy rainfall, raising concerns of flash floods and mudslides, especially in eastern Cuba and the Sierra Maestra mountain range. Oscar is also predicted to generate a dangerous storm surge for the Turks and Caicos Islands and parts of the southeastern Bahamas on Saturday night, extending to Cuba’s northern coast by Sunday.
Cuba Struggles with Blackout Amid Storm Preparations
The hurricane warning comes as Cuba is grappling with a major power outage. The government announced on Saturday that it had restored electricity to about one-fifth of the island’s population after the national grid collapsed twice within 24 hours, plunging millions into darkness.
This unprecedented blackout is the latest challenge for Cuba’s 10 million residents, who are already facing extreme shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. Although some areas regained power, much of the capital, Havana, remained without electricity as of Saturday evening.
The situation has worsened as strong winds and rain, brought by the approaching storm, have started hitting the island, adding more pressure to Cuba’s already strained infrastructure. The blackout follows a series of dramatic events that have left the country’s residents tense and exhausted.
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The power grid first failed around midday on Friday after one of Cuba’s largest power plants shut down unexpectedly. It collapsed again early Saturday morning, according to Cuban media reports. The government has attributed these prolonged blackouts—some lasting up to 20 hours a day—to deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages, and increased energy demand.
Compounding the issue, strong winds from Hurricane Milton last week disrupted fuel deliveries from offshore boats, further hindering the country’s ability to supply its power plants.
Cuba’s leadership has also pointed to the long-standing U.S. trade embargo and sanctions imposed by former President Donald Trump as factors contributing to the ongoing difficulties in securing fuel and spare parts to maintain its oil-fired plants.
Storm Surge and Flood Risks
In addition to power concerns, the NHC has emphasized the threat of a storm surge in vulnerable areas. The Turks and Caicos Islands and parts of the southeastern Bahamas are expected to experience coastal flooding on Saturday night, followed by dangerous surges along Cuba’s northern coastline on Sunday. These surges, along with the heavy rainfall, heighten the risk of flash flooding and mudslides, which could pose further dangers to residents already facing power shortages.
As Hurricane Oscar approaches, Cuba and neighboring regions are preparing for what could be another blow to their fragile infrastructure. Authorities are urging residents to follow safety protocols and monitor local updates as the situation develops.
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