More than 460 collapses in Havana following the impact of powerful Hurricane Rafael

At least 461 landslides, either total or partial, have been recorded so far due to the impact of the powerful Hurricane Rafael on Havana, according to a preliminary report released by authorities in the Cuban capital this Thursday.

"Havana was heavily impacted," stated the governor of the province, Yanet Hernández, at a press conference, specifying that the damage to homes and other buildings included fallen walls, stairs, and detached lightweight coverings. However, she did not disclose the total number of collapses that occurred.

Hernández reported that 495 utility poles were knocked down and numerous trees were felled due to the winds from the storm, according to the EFE news agency.

Cuban authorities have not reported any fatalities in the provinces where the hurricane caused the most damage—Artemisa, Havana, and Mayabeque—home to more than four million people, over two million of whom live in the capital.

In a preliminary report released on Thursday morning, the Cuban government revealed that the province of Artemisa has experienced "the greatest damage, particularly in hospitals, schools, service centers, homes, roofs, and electrical infrastructure."

According to that initial information, there had been reported damage in Havana to approximately 77 homes, 21 educational institutions, and seven hospitals, as well as to the electrical connections and the city's greenery.

Meanwhile, in Mayabeque, the main damages were recorded in agriculture, particularly in banana and cassava crops; and on the Isle of Youth, there were "minor damages" to homes and state buildings, with the most significant impacts in the tourist destination of Cayo Largo del Sur. In the province of Pinar del Río, no damages were reported, according to Cuban authorities.

The Havana governor stated at the press conference that 98,345 people were evacuated to protection centers set up in the capital and to the homes of relatives and friends.

However, there were people who had to be rescued amid the cyclone's onslaught due to collapses in their homes.

Hernández also mentioned the recovery efforts in Havana, which include waste collection and the cleaning of access points to airports and bus and train terminals. He also announced the resumption of operations at José Martí International Airport and others, such as "Juan Gualberto Gómez" in Varadero, Matanzas Province.

Regarding the power outages, the official stated that efforts are being made to restore service, but “it is a difficult task, especially due to the fallen power lines,” EFE reported.

Hours before the hurricane made landfall in Cuba, there was a complete disconnection of the National Electric System (SEN).

According to a statement from the Electric Union (UNE), at 2:48 p.m. on Wednesday, the strong winds associated with the cyclone, which had gained significant intensity as it moved toward western Cuba, caused a shutdown of the National Electric System (SEN), marking the second major blackout recorded in the country in less than three weeks.

On Thursday afternoon, an electrical subsystem covering the area from Matanzas to Holguín was restored by integrating thermal power plants, Energas Varadero, and distributed generation facilities in those regions.

However, the provinces of La Habana, Mayabeque, and Artemisa still lack electricity. According to authorities, they are assessing the transmission networks and reviewing the affected lines to restore service as quickly as possible. Strong winds from the cyclone destroyed several high-voltage towers located on the Habana-Artemisa highway.

Hurricane Rafael, the second to strike Cuba in just over 15 days, has delivered another heavy blow to the country, which is already grappling with an economy in ruins due to the severe crisis it has been facing for at least five years.

During the late afternoon and evening of this Wednesday, the cyclone crossed the western tip of the island from south to north, initially as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which has a maximum of 5, and later downgraded to Category 2. Its maximum sustained winds reached 185 km/h, and rainfall amounted to up to 200 liters per square meter, resulting in widespread flooding and significant destruction everywhere.