As Tropical Storm Oscar Approaches the Bahamas, Eastern Cuba Experiences Heavy Rainfall
HAVANA—Tropical Storm Oscar brought heavy rainfall to eastern Cuba on Monday after hitting the island as a Category 1 hurricane, exacerbating the ongoing power outage issues.
With maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) on Monday, Oscar was moving west-northwest at 3 mph. The storm was positioned about 15 miles west-northwest of Guantánamo, Cuba, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Eastern Cuba was expected to receive up to 14 inches of rain, with isolated areas potentially experiencing up to 20 inches of rainfall.
“The primary concern is the heavy rainfall currently impacting eastern Cuba, which could lead to significant flooding and potential mudslides in the area,” said Philippe Papin, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center.
Oscar holds the record as the smallest hurricane, with a wind field only about six miles across, according to hurricane specialist and storm surge expert Michael Lowry.
Lowry noted that none of the forecast models predicted Oscar strengthening into a hurricane before making landfall in the Bahamas on Saturday. In an analysis published Monday, he remarked on the rare failure in hurricane forecasting.
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Oscar made landfall in Guantanamo province, near Baracoa, Cuba, on Sunday evening with winds of 75 mph. The storm also hit Great Inagua in the Bahamas on Saturday, prompting evacuations due to home damage.
Reports of rain and flooding in low-lying areas emerged from eastern Cuba. Cuban media highlighted 2-meter swells along the coast and reported roof and wall damage in Baracoa.
The storm is expected to move close to the southeastern and central Bahamas on Tuesday after emerging off Cuba’s northern coast late Monday, according to U.S. forecasters.
Tropical storm warnings were issued for the north coast of Las Tunas, Holguin, and Guantanamo provinces to Punta Maisi, as well as the south coast of Guantanamo province and the southeastern Bahamas. A tropical storm watch was in effect for the central Bahamas.
Cuba experienced a widespread power outage on Friday, with only limited restoration by Saturday, leaving most residents without electricity. The country’s energy minister expressed optimism for a full grid restoration by Monday or Tuesday.
