A striking video circulating on social media captures the dramatic moment when a young Cuban, Daniel Chávez Borrego, narrowly escapes the path of a tornado that struck areas of the municipality of Alquízar in the province of Artemisa.
The phenomenon occurred this Thursday and has been described by experts as one of the most documented weather events in real-time on the island.
The meteorologist Alejandro Adonis described the video as “one of the most impressive ever seen about tornadoes in Cuba.”
"The young man had to run for his life, with no protection, as the tornado approached dangerously. Despite the risk, he managed to keep filming, which provides us with valuable information about the structure, movement, and strength of the phenomenon," Adonis explained on his social media.
The video, filmed from a mobile phone, shows Chávez Borrego walking when the sky suddenly begins to darken. Within seconds, the wind picks up, and the image captures a swirling funnel forming very close to his position.
Daniel runs to take cover as objects start flying around him. Fortunately, he managed to reach safety in a house and continued recording what was happening.
The meteorologist praised the usefulness of the material, emphasizing that recording with the exact location and time significantly increases its scientific value compared to publications that do not specify key details of the event.
"The majority post photos or videos without mentioning the place or time. This greatly limits meteorological analysis. In this case, the mobile device allowed for everything to be recorded with precision," Adonis noted.
Although tornadoes are not common in Cuba, their frequency has increased in recent years, particularly in the western provinces of the country.
The most devastating case was the tornado in January 2019 in Havana, which left several dead, more than a hundred injured, and significant material losses.
On this occasion, the authorities of Artemisa have not reported any fatalities, although there have been partial damages to homes, uprooted roofs, and impacts on crops in areas near Alquízar.
Frequently Asked Questions about the recent tornado in Artemisa, Cuba
What was the escape of the young Cuban like during the tornado in Artemisa?
The young Daniel Chávez Borrego managed to escape seconds before the tornado passed while recording the phenomenon with his mobile phone. He ran to take shelter in a nearby house, thereby avoiding being hit by the tornado that was forming just a few meters from his position.
What damage did the tornado cause in the municipality of Alquízar, Artemisa?
The tornado caused partial damage to homes, detached roofs, and impacts on crops in areas near Alquízar. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported, but visible damage to local infrastructure was evident.
Are tornadoes common in Cuba?
Tornadoes are not common in Cuba, but their frequency has increased in recent years, especially in the western provinces of the country. Similar events have been reported in other areas, reflecting a pattern of meteorological instability in the region.
What do experts think about the video of the tornado in Artemisa?
The meteorologist Alejandro Adonis emphasized that the video recorded by Daniel Chávez Borrego is one of the most impressive ever seen of tornadoes in Cuba. The material is valuable for meteorological analysis due to its accuracy in the location and timing of the event.
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