First images of Hurricane Oscar's impact on Baracoa

The first images of Hurricane Oscar's impact in Baracoa show strong winds, heavy rainfall, and large waves in the Primada de Cuba.

Images and videos shared on social media are a reflection of the intensity with which this cyclonic system has affected the easternmost part of the island.

Oscar made landfall at 5:50 PM this Sunday in Baracoa, with winds of approximately 130 km/h, being a category 1 hurricane, reported the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the U.S.

The NHC in its seventh update on this phenomenon indicated that the minimum central pressure of the cyclone was 986 mb (29.12 inches), thanks to previous observations made during a reconnaissance flight by the Air Force.

At 5:50 PM, Oscar's center was estimated at 20.3 degrees North latitude and 74.4 degrees West longitude, coordinates that placed it about 10 kilometers (5 miles) east-southeast of Baracoa, and about 80 km (50 miles) east of Guantánamo.

Óscar's arrival occurs at a critical moment for the country, affected by a general blackout since last Friday. As a consequence, the necessary evacuation and prevention measures to face the weather event have been significantly limited.

Reports on social media indicate the danger of the hurricane in a community that has not had access to the necessary information to face the cyclone.

The Meteorological Institute on the island has issued a tropical cyclone warning indicating that wind forces will increase tonight, where speeds may reach between 85 and 100 kilometers per hour, with higher gusts.

"The winds could reach hurricane strength with speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour in the provinces of Guantánamo and Holguín, in areas close to the center of the hurricane," they add.

Strong swells will persist along the northeastern coast, especially on the northern shoreline of the provinces of Guantánamo and Holguín, extending during the night towards the northern coast of Las Tunas. Coastal flooding, ranging from moderate to severe, will continue to affect the low-lying areas of this region, including the seawall of Baracoa.