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The National Hurricane Center of the United States (NHC, for its acronym in English) confirmed this Saturday that the active tropical wave in the eastern Caribbean has transformed into Tropical Depression Nine, a system that is already causing heavy rainfall in Cuba and could reach storm or even hurricane status in the coming days.
According to the advisory at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time), the depression has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h and is moving northwest at 13 km/h.
The NHC warned that the system will continue to strengthen and will bring tropical storm conditions to parts of the central and northwestern Bahamas until Sunday night.
In Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, the rains associated with the depression will continue over the weekend, posing a high risk of flash and urban flooding, as well as landslides in mountainous areas.
The agency also warned of a significant threat of heavy rainfall starting early next week along the east coast of the United States, particularly in Georgia, the Carolinas, and the Mid-Atlantic region, where flooding due to river overflows could occur.
If the trend continues, the depression will reach intensity close to a hurricane as it approaches southeastern Florida and neighboring states.
The immediate impact in Cuba
Although the center of the depression is moving towards the Atlantic, the eastern provinces of Cuba are the hardest hit by its cloud bands and rain.
The Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) has issued a Special Advisory for heavy rainfall in Camagüey, Holguín, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo, with totals that may exceed 200 millimeters, and could even reach 400 mm in parts of Guantánamo, according to specialists.
The Civil Defense warned that the soils are saturated after months of drought and urged heightened precautions in communities vulnerable to flooding and landslides.
In the towns of Bayamo, Contramaestre, and Guantánamo, residents reported heavy rains and constant thunderstorms since early morning, while local authorities activated plans for the protection and safety of the population.
For Miami and other cities in Florida, the path of the system should also be monitored, as it could develop into a hurricane when it approaches the southeast United States next week.
Meteorological authorities recommend staying informed at all times and having emergency plans ready.
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