Cuba reels as Category 3 Hurricane Rafael knocks out power grid

Hurricane Rafael left Cuba in crisis Thursday, knocking out the entire power grid and bringing floods, storm surges, and forced evacuations.

The Category 3 storm struck late Wednesday with winds reaching 125 mph.

Trees were scattered across flooded streets in Havana, and much of the capital city was deserted and dark. By early Thursday, Cuban emergency response workers were able to asses the widespread destruction to housing, infrastructure, and agriculture, which could have a “life-threatening” impact.

“This is a night I don’t want to sleep through, between the battering air and the trees,” said Silvia Pérez, a 72-year-old retiree in Havana. As Rafael approached, Pérez, along with her neighbors, scrambled to secure essentials including water and food.

“I’m scared for my friends and family,” she said.

What Have the Cuban Government Done to Address Hurricane Rafael?

Hurricane Rafael is the Cuba’s 17th named storm of the season.

Ahead of the its rampage, the Cuban government issued extensive warnings, suspending public transport, closing schools, and halting flights in and out of Havana and Varadero.

Cuba’s power grid, which was already under strain due to frequent outages in recent months, faced more prolonged blackouts after Rafael swept through.

The hurricane had already caused significant damage earlier in the week as it passed over Jamaica, where authorities activated four emergency shelters, and the Cayman Islands, where schools closed as a result of power drainage.

“While conditions have improved on Grand Cayman, residents are advised to exercise extreme caution on the roads and near coastlines as rough seas and residual flooding risks may persist,” the government said in a statement.

Hurricane’s ‘Weakening’ Into Gulf of Mexico

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Thursday morning that Rafael was about 180 miles west-northwest of Havana, moving into the Gulf of Mexico at Category 2 strength with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.

Meteorologists expect the storm to weaken while it moves over cooler waters, though it could still bring heavy rain to parts of the southeastern U.S., primarily Florida.

According the NHC, there is a chance it prolong itself further into the week.

“The numerical guidance does indicate very dry air around Rafael through the forecast period, which should induce weakening,” they said.

“If the system moves farther south over the Gulf than currently anticipated, it could encounter lower wind shear, and likely a more moist air mass. This could result in Rafael maintaining its intensity more than currently expected.”

Cuba Faces Severe Economic Crisis

For Cuba, Hurricane Rafael is the latest in a series of hardships that have struck while the island has battled economic and infrastructure crises.

Another severe storm, Hurricane Oscar, killed six people in the eastern part of the country last month. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration previously predicted an above-average season with between 17 and 25 named storms. When the cleanup for one is done, another arrives.

Cuba’s economic downturn has been exacerbated by a post-pandemic world, and key industries like agriculture and energy are without the resources to run effectively. Power blackouts lasting several days are commonplace—with or without the storms to accompany them.

Many residents are reportedly considering leaving the country, with economic challenges driving them to seek stability elsewhere.

Traditional allies like Venezuela and Russia have reduced fuel exports to Cuba, compelling the nation to seek alternative sources.

More recently, Mexico has provided substantial fuel shipments to alleviate the crisis.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press