On Wednesday morning, flooding was reported in the low-lying areas of El Vedado due to sea surges along Havana's Malecón, influenced by Hurricane Milton, which is moving towards the west coast of the United States. The Institute of Meteorology and Havana's government have shared images on social media showing flooding, a common occurrence in this part of the capital whenever tropical storms or hurricanes approach Cuba's northern coast.
Interestingly, this time the flooding is not primarily due to heavy rainfall—since showers in the capital have been intermittent—but rather because of the strong sea swells that INSMET predicted would keep the weather unsettled in the western provinces throughout the day. Dramatic photos of waves crashing over the Malecón have been shared on the Facebook group "Maravilloso Malecón," where vehicle traffic has been halted.
Impact on Western Cuba
Besides Havana, Hurricane Milton has created adverse conditions in other western Cuban regions like Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Mayabeque, and Isla de la Juventud. Milton, expected to make landfall tonight or early Thursday morning, is primarily bringing gusty winds, strong seas, and intermittent showers tied to the hurricane's feeder bands.
Wind and Sea Conditions
In Pinar del Río and Havana, south winds have been recorded at speeds ranging between 40 and 50 kilometers per hour, according to Meteorology Report Number 9. The report noted that overnight, gusts reached up to 82 km/h in La Palma, Pinar del Río, and 72 km/h in Casablanca, Havana. These winds are expected to persist for the next 12 to 24 hours, extending from Pinar del Río to Mayabeque. In addition to strong winds, western Cuban coasts are experiencing intense sea swells.
Coastal and Weather Alerts
INSMET has forecast light to moderate coastal flooding from Pinar del Río to Mayabeque, including Isla de la Juventud and the Canarreos archipelago. The passage of feeder bands associated with Milton has led to rain and thunderstorms in various western Cuban locations. Although these rains haven't been consistent, they could intensify throughout the day, bringing heavy showers to some areas.
With maximum sustained winds now reaching 250 km/h, as reported by the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, and higher gusts, this powerful cyclone is moving northeast at 26 km/h, situated about 300 kilometers north of Cabo de San Antonio.