HAVANA (AP).— The tropical storm “Oscar” left yesterday 6 deaths and heavy rains in eastern Cuba after make landfall as a category 1 hurricane on an island previously affected by a huge blackout.
The meteor’s maximum sustained winds yesterday blew at 65 kilometers per hour while it was moving in a north-northwest direction at 11 kph.
The storm was located about 130 kilometers northwest of Guantánamo, Cuba, according to the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Cuban television said yesterday afternoon that 6 people died as a result of “Oscar” passing through a town called San Antonio South, in the province of Guantánamo.
The Cuban president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, also confirmed the preliminary death toll shortly afterwards.
“Very intense rains“said expert José Rubiera in a report that also reported on the storm’s departure to the Bahamas after leaving damage in Cuba.
About 36 centimeters of rain were expected in the east of the island, with maximums of up to 51 centimeters in isolated points.
“The main concern is heavy rainfall that are occurring in parts of eastern Cuba right now, which are likely to produce significant flooding and even some mudslides in that area,” warned Philippe Papin, a hurricane specialist at the NHC.
According to Michael Lowry, a specialist in hurricanes and storm surges, “Oscar” is the smallest hurricane on record, with a wind field of only about 10 kilometers in diameter.
Lowry noted that no forecast model indicated that Oscar could become a hurricane last Saturday before making landfall in the Bahamas.
Hurricane “Oscar” hits Cuba: leaves 6 dead in the middle of a huge blackout
“It is not often that we see a colossal failure in hurricane forecasthe wrote in an analysis published Monday.
“Oscar” made landfall in the province eastern Guantánamo, near the city of Baracoa, on Sunday afternoon with winds of 120 kph.
It had also made landfall on Saturday in Great Inagua, in the Bahamas, where several residents were evacuated due to damage to their homes.
Floods
Rain and flooding were reported in low-lying areas in eastern provinces.
Cuban media reported storm surges 2 meters on the coast, and damage to roofs and walls in Baracoa.
The storm was expected to exit off the northern coast of Cuba last night and approach the central and southeastern Bahamas today, according to forecasters in the United States.
There were tropical storm warnings for the northern coast of the Cuban provinces of Las Tunas, Holguín and Guantánamo to Punta de Maisí, as well as for the southern coast of the province of Guantánamo and the southeastern Bahamas.
were issued tropical storm warnings for the northern coast of Camagüey and the center of the Bahamas.
Cuba suffered a electricity outage widespread on Friday, as we noted in a separate note.
Part of the service was restored on Saturday, but the majority of the population was still without power.
The Energy Minister expressed hope that the power grid could be repaired yesterday or today.
If tropical storm “Kristy” forms
Meanwhile, the Tropical storm “Kristy” formed yesterday off the southern Mexican Pacific coast, but is not expected to pose a threat to the mainland. The storm was located 440 kilometers south-southwest of Acapulco and was moving west at 28 kph. It had sustained winds of 65 kph, according to the NHC.
“Kristy” is predicted to reach hurricane strength tomorrow, but will continue to move over open water.
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**Interview with Michael Lowry, Hurricane Specialist at NHC**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Michael. Your expertise on hurricanes is invaluable, especially following the recent events surrounding Hurricane Oscar. Can you summarize the impact this storm had on Cuba?
**Michael Lowry:** Thank you for having me. Hurricane Oscar, which made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, has had a profound impact on eastern Cuba. There were tragic reports of six fatalities, primarily in San Antonio South in the Guantánamo province. In addition to the loss of life, the storm brought heavy rainfall—forecasts suggested up to 51 centimeters in some areas—which led to significant flooding and mudslides.
**Editor:** It’s shocking to hear about the fatalities. What factors contributed to the storm’s strength and the unexpected forecasting challenges?
**Michael Lowry:** One of the most peculiar aspects of Hurricane Oscar is that it holds the record as the smallest hurricane on record, with a wind field of only about 10 kilometers in diameter. Remarkably, no forecasting models indicated that Oscar could intensify into a hurricane until just before landfall. It’s a stark reminder of how unpredictable these storms can be.
**Editor:** It certainly highlights the challenges faced by meteorologists. Could you explain the implications of Oscar’s compact size in relation to its damage potential?
**Michael Lowry:** Absolutely. Despite its small size, Oscar displayed intense wind speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour upon landfall. Smaller storms can often produce very localized effects, meaning specific areas can experience extreme conditions while surrounding regions may be relatively unaffected. This creates a scenario where forecasting and preparation can become even more complex.
**Editor:** Given the current situation in Cuba, what are the most pressing concerns moving forward?
**Michael Lowry:** The immediate concern is the potential for further flooding in low-lying areas, which is exacerbated by the heavy rains still occurring in eastern Cuba. Local authorities and residents will need to be vigilant about possible mudslides and infrastructure damage. Recovery efforts will be crucial in the days ahead as the community begins to heal and rebuild after this devastation.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insight, Michael. Your expertise will help inform our audience about the importance of preparedness and understanding these unpredictable weather events.
**Michael Lowry:** Thank you for shedding light on this critical issue. It’s essential for all communities to be informed and prepared for these types of natural disasters.
