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A severe local storm hit the municipality of Unión de Reyes, in the province of Matanzas, during the afternoon of this Tuesday, causing material damage to roofs, trees, and sports structures.
According to the newspaper Girón on its Facebook profile, the weather phenomenon occurred between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., with linear winds exceeding 90 kilometers per hour, associated with thunderstorms.
Luis Enrique Álvarez Almenares, from the Forecast Center of the Provincial Meteorological Center of Matanzas, confirmed that the event caused the roof of the pharmacy in the town of Juan Gualberto Gómez to be lost, along with other damage to roofs and fallen trees.
The weather station in Unión de Reyes recorded 30.4 millimeters of rain in just 22 minutes, while several residents in the area also reported hail.
Among the affected structures is the judo gym of INDER, where the roof was destroyed and the training mat suffered considerable damage, according to journalist Roxana Valdés from Radio Unión.
Workers from the sports sector acted swiftly to rescue the resources from the location and move them to a safe place.
The meteorologist Raúl Hernández Soriano confirmed that the phenomenon qualifies as a severe local storm due to the destructive intensity of the winds, even though a tornado has not been recorded.
"The event was caused by a trough in the mid and low levels of the atmosphere, moving from the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico toward the western part of the country," Hernández explained to the local newspaper.
The specialist warned that this type of disturbance, also known as short waves, is common during seasonal changes, particularly at the end of April.
The trough will move eastward in the coming hours, increasing the likelihood of rain and thunderstorms in municipalities such as Martí, Los Arabos, and Ciénaga de Zapata.
The journalist Hanoi Moreno Enríquez shared on Facebook some images and a short video showcasing the intensity of the rainfall in just a few minutes.
"A trough in the Gulf of Mexico caused hail and localized thunderstorms this afternoon in the municipality of Unión de Reyes, due to the intense solar heating," he emphasized.
"Everything seems to indicate that it is a Local Storm. Hail is falling in Unión de Reyes," noted journalist Roxana Valdés on her Facebook profile.
In addition, he shared a video that shows the intensity of the local storm that affected the municipality of Unión de Reyes.
For its part, the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER) reported that, following the passage of the severe local storm, an immediate call was activated to support recovery efforts at the judo gym affected in Unión de Reyes.
Officials and workers from the organization arrived at the site and joined the teams responsible for removing debris, repairing damage, and restoring the affected sports areas.
Thanks to their efforts, it was possible to partially recover the facility in a short time and begin assessing the material losses.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Severe Storm in Matanzas
What damage did the severe storm cause in Unión de Reyes, Matanzas?
The storm caused material damage to roofs, trees, and sports structures in the municipality of Unión de Reyes, Matanzas. The roof of the Juan Gualberto Gómez pharmacy was completely lost, and the judo gym of INDER suffered the destruction of its roof and damage to the training mat.
How is the phenomenon that affected Matanzas classified?
The phenomenon was classified as a severe local storm due to the destructive intensity of the winds, which exceeded 90 km/h. Although no tornado was recorded, the storm was accompanied by heavy rain and hail in some areas.
What meteorological factors caused the storm in Matanzas?
The storm was caused by a trough that moved from the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico towards the west of Cuba. This type of disturbance is common during seasonal transitions, especially at the end of April, and usually leads to rain and thunderstorms.
What impact did the storm have on the local community?
The local community reported significant damage to infrastructure, such as the judo gym of INDER and the pharmacy of Juan Gualberto Gómez. Workers in the sports sector acted quickly to salvage resources and move them to safe locations. Additionally, the hail and the loss of roofs caused alarm among the neighbors.
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