Hurricane Rafael begins to be felt in Havana

The El Vedado area is already experiencing the first rains from the hurricane.


Although Hurricane Rafael has not yet made landfall in Cuba, its effects as a powerful category 3 hurricane are already being felt in the capital, where the first rains and strong winds have been reported.

The state-run Cuban News Agency shared a video on its X account showing what is happening on the central street 23 in El Vedado.

Another recording shows the area of El Vedado on Zapata Street, where Colón Cemetery is located.

At 2:02 PM, the intensity of the hurricane's winds had already increased, and it was raining in the central-southern part of the city.

The first impacts of the phenomenon are also felt at the Malecón.

Photo: Wonderful Malecón / Carlos Espinosa Betancourt

In the area between Avenida 23 and the Malecón, there are already waves that threaten to overtop the wall.

According to the latest forecast model from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the right side of Rafael, also referred to as the storm's "dirty side," will directly impact Havana.

This refers to the most intense area of the hurricane, which could bring strong winds, torrential rains, and dangerous waves, increasing the risk of disasters in the Cuban capital, and it comes with another issue: the possibility of tornadoes.

The power of Rafael's "dirty side" poses a danger to the residents of the Cuban capital due to the poor condition of the housing.

The imminent approach of the hurricane is also being felt in other areas of western Cuba, particularly in Isla de la Juventud, Cayo Largo del Sur, and the southern part of Matanzas province.

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