A severe local storm caught residents of the municipality of Palma Soriano in Santiago de Cuba by surprise on Monday afternoon, causing significant material damage, downed trees, and damage to electrical and telephone lines.
The short-lived but intense weather phenomenon caused strong gusts of wind and torrential rains, leading to the obstruction of several roads and damage to lightweight roofs of houses. One of the main arteries of the municipality was blocked by the fall of a tree, disrupting vehicular traffic in the area.
The First Secretary of the Party in Palma Soriano, José Ángel Labrada Castillo, reported on his social media: “A local storm caused fallen trees, resulting in blocked roads and damage to light roofing, as well as to electrical and telephone lines.”
The local station CMKW Radio Mambí shared images showcasing the impact of the storm, highlighting that it affected the municipality yesterday, with scenes of uprooted trees and scattered branches on the streets and sidewalks.
From his page, journalist Cuscó Tarradell reported that "in just a few minutes, the sky was completely covered and heavy rains began, accompanied by intense gusts of wind, leaving various material damages that are still being assessed." He also added that "the images that are reaching me from the site show flooded streets, fallen branches and poles, debris carried by the rain, as well as the evident trace of a phenomenon that formed with unusual speed and strength."
Residents of Palma Soriano, such as those in the group “Rebolico Palma Soriano,” shared scenes following the heavy rain and gusts of wind. “Palma Soriano after the tropical storm from about 5 minutes ago,” wrote one user, alongside a gallery of images showing fallen trees and damaged urban furniture in the central park.
At the moment, no personal injuries have been reported. According to the local media Sierra Maestra, the main consequences of the phenomenon were the falling of trees, damage to electrical and telephone lines, as well as partial damage to some roofs.
The president of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power, Yoandrys Hernández Suárez, stated that "work to restore the posts and electrical networks in the city's most central area began immediately, along with the replacement of tiles on about three houses and the clearing of streets that were blocked by fallen trees." He added that they were continuing to assess other potential impacts, while specialized brigades and local organizations carried out plans "to address and reduce risks and vulnerabilities."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Severe Storm in Palma Soriano
What impact did the severe storm have in Palma Soriano?
The storm caused significant material damage, including fallen trees, damage to electrical and telephone lines, as well as road obstructions due to debris.
What were the main response actions taken after the storm in Palma Soriano?
The local authorities, led by the president of the Municipal Assembly, have begun the efforts to restore the electrical and telephone lines, as well as the cleaning of streets and the replacement of tiles in affected homes.
How does this storm compare to other recent events in Cuba?
In recent months, Cuba has experienced several severe storms in different provinces, such as Guantánamo, Pinar del Río, and Havana, all characterized by strong winds, torrential rains, and significant material damage, but with no reported loss of life.
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