Landslides reported in Havana due to Hurricane Rafael

On the night of November 6th, a collapse on Consulado Street, between Refugio and Genios, in Centro Habana, raised alarms among residents, who sought help via social media. This is evident from a post on Facebook by Mayda Vergara Alcoba, who was calling for an S.O.S. to get firefighters to the area. The collapse happened around 8 p.m., as strong gusts of wind and light rain swept through the city. The location, like other parts of the capital, was without electricity.

A neighbor commented on journalist Alberto Arego's Facebook post that she heard a chilling explosion. "I'm still traumatized by that bang." From the residents' interactions on that post, it is known that, fortunately, there were no casualties, and firefighters quickly arrived on the scene to secure the area. There has not been any official communication yet.

Journalist Mario J Penton has shared a video of the incident.

This incident occurs amid a widespread blackout on the island, caused by the disconnection of the National Electricity System at 3 p.m. due to Hurricane Rafael. Authorities have activated contingency protocols while working to restore service. This event underscores the vulnerability of infrastructure in the country and the need for emergency assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions.

The Cuban capital has experienced strong winds and heavy rains, with gusts reaching hurricane strength, leading to power outages for numerous circuits and forcing the evacuation of about 50,000 people. Videos shared on social media illustrate the magnitude of the gusts in various parts of the city.

Earlier that day, Hurricane Rafael made landfall in Artemisa with sustained winds of up to 185 km/h, classifying it as a Category 3 hurricane. The National Hurricane Center issued warnings for several Cuban provinces, including Pinar del Río, Artemisa, and Havana, anticipating flooding and destructive winds that could threaten lives and property. The impact was particularly severe in coastal areas where dangerous storm surges were reported.

Hours earlier, Hurricane Rafael had already reached Category 3 as it moved toward the western coast of Cuba. With a central pressure of 956 mb and moving at 22 km/h, Rafael threatened tropical storm conditions in nearby areas, including the Florida Keys. Cuban authorities prepared the population for the risk of flooding and landslides due to heavy rains, while the hurricane advanced toward the Gulf of Mexico, where it could regain strength.