The Cuban authorities provided information on the damage caused by the tornado that shook the municipality of Güira de Melena, Artemisa, on Thursday.
Although no casualties or human damage were reported, the phenomenon caused damage to crops and basic services, and also sparked a renewed debate about the country's preparedness for natural disasters.
The event occurred between 3:28 PM and 3:50 PM, when a burst of severe local storms triggered by daytime warming and the influence of a cold low aloft to the south of the area created favorable conditions for the formation of the phenomenon.
According to the Forecasting Group of Artemisa from the Cuban Institute of Meteorology (INSMET), the tornado originated in the area of El Junco.
Next, it moved through the rural settlements of El Guayabo, La Cachimba, Pedro Díaz, and El Gabriel before dissipating.
Although the tornado passed through sparsely populated areas with low agricultural density, damage was reported on four hectares of plantains and one hectare of corn.
In addition, the aqueduct of the town of La Cachimba was affected due to the impact on a transformer bank.
The reports confirm that there were no casualties or injuries.
Journalist Yarima Córdova Escobar from the TV Artemisa telecenter reported that hailstorms were also recorded in Alquízar, accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong gusts of wind.
A terrifying and viral show
The powerful tornado of an unusual orange color caused astonishment and fear among the residents, who described the scene as "straight out of a horror movie."
The phenomenon was extensively documented by neighbors and meteorologists, who shared images and videos that quickly went viral.
From various points in Güira de Melena to San Antonio de los Baños, many stopped their tractors and vehicles to observe and record the swirling reddish dust that slowly moved over cultivated lands, giving the sky a striking orange hue.
At 3:43 PM, an image taken from a farm captured the moment the tornado formed, and seven minutes later, the National Radar Center of INSMET issued a warning about the presence of severe storms in the provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Río, and Matanzas.
The institution did not rule out the possibility of severe events, thus confirming the danger of the atmospheric system.
The meteorologist Henry Delgado Manzor, along with other specialists and the page Aficionados a la Meteorología, confirmed the formation of the funnel and explained that the orange color was due to the vortex's suction of the red soil from the region.
Is CubaPrepared for these events?
The tornado in Güira de Melena, although brief and without tragic consequences, has revived among Cubans the memory of the devastating tornado that struck Havana in January 2019.
The shared scenes - of dark skies, swirling vortices, and inhabitants watching in awe - have prompted a wave of questions about the country's weather preparedness.
Are rural Cuban communities sufficiently alerted and organized to face phenomena of this magnitude? Are there efficient evacuation plans in place? Are the infrastructures adequate to withstand increasingly frequent extreme winds due to climate change?
These questions are not new, but the skies spoke loudly once again. This time there was no tragedy, but the message was clear: nature is powerful and unpredictable, and preparation, more than a luxury, is an urgent necessity.
Images of the tornado are already circulating within and outside of Cuba as a visual warning of the power of the weather and the country's vulnerability to extreme events.
Frequently Asked Questions about the tornado in Güira de Melena
What were the damages caused by the tornado in Güira de Melena?
The tornado caused damage to crops and basic services, specifically damaging four hectares of bananas and one hectare of corn, and affecting the aqueduct in the town of La Cachimba due to the impact on a transformer bank. Fortunately, no human casualties or injuries were reported.
Why did the tornado have an unusual orange color?
The orange color of the tornado was due to the fact that the vortex sucked up the characteristic red soil of the region, which created a visually striking and frightening appearance, similar to a scene from a horror movie.
Is Cuba prepared to face extreme weather events like tornadoes?
The tornado has sparked a debate about the country's preparedness for natural disasters. Although there were no human casualties this time, the recurrence of extreme weather events raises questions about the effectiveness of evacuation plans, infrastructure, and the organization of rural communities to face these phenomena.
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