The National Hurricane Center issued a new warning at 5:00 AM EDT (0900 UTC) this Monday, October 21, 2024, warning about the dangerous situation facing eastern Cuba due to Tropical Storm Oscar.
The phenomenon continues to cause heavy rains and the greatest danger is flooding.
Location and current status of the storm
At 5:00 AM, the center of Tropical Storm Oscar was near latitude 20.2 north and longitude 75.1 west, approximately 10 km east of Guantánamo, Cuba, and 95 km from the eastern tip of the island. It is moving slowly westward at 4 km/h, with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h and a minimum central pressure of 999 mb.
Warnings and surveillance in effect
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for the northern coast of the Cuban provinces of Las Tunas, Holguín and Guantánamo to Punta Maisí, as well as for the southern coast of Guantánamo and the southeastern Bahamas.
Tropical storm watch for the northern coast of the Cuban province of Camagüey and the central Bahamas.
Tropical storm conditions are expected in these areas throughout the day, and could intensify over the next 24 to 36 hours.
Movement forecast
Oscar will continue its trajectory through eastern Cuba today, emerging off the northern Cuban coast later tonight. It is expected to move towards the southeast and central Bahamas tomorrow, Tuesday.
Impact of the storm in Cuba
Oscar is forecast to continue weakening as it crosses the mountainous terrain of eastern Cuba, but will remain a tropical storm. The main concerns are torrential rains, which could leave between 7 and 14 inches of precipitation, with isolated accumulations of up to 20 inches, especially in the Sierra Maestra. This increases the risk of flooding and dangerous landslides.
On the east coast of Cuba, water levels will begin to gradually decrease today, but large and dangerous waves will continue until Tuesday, creating a risk for coastal areas.
Cuban and Bahamian authorities must closely monitor the evolution of Oscar, and the population must follow safety instructions in the face of the risk of flash floods and heavy rains.
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