Early Wednesday morning, several streets in Santiago de Cuba were left impassable after powerful winds and heavy rains caused trees and branches to fall across the city. Aris Arias Batalla, the provincial chief of Operations and Rescue, shared on Facebook that due to the severe weather conditions, workers from Communal Services had to clear the roads. They worked tirelessly from the early hours to remove fallen trees and branches to restore traffic flow throughout the city.
Arias highlighted that blockages were particularly noted in the central Avenida de Céspedes, the Sueño neighborhood, and other major roads in the area. In a further update, he explained that the downpours were triggered by a cyclonic circulation situated 9 to 12 kilometers high, south of Haiti, combined with the passage of an active tropical wave through the Caribbean Sea, along with significant moisture content.
Severe Weather Conditions Impact Eastern Cuba
Over the past 12 hours, rainfall was recorded in central and eastern parts of the country. The most significant accumulation was observed in La Gran Piedra, Santiago de Cuba, with 98.8 millimeters of rain falling in less than six hours, categorizing it as locally intense rainfall.
The Forecast Center of the Institute of Meteorology announced on its website that by Wednesday afternoon, the entire nation would experience cloudy skies with showers, rain, and thunderstorms, potentially continuing into the evening hours.
Recent Weather Challenges Across the Island
In recent days, heavy rains, strong winds, and sea surges linked to Hurricane Milton have caused flooding along the southern coast of Mayabeque. In Havana, flooding was reported along the Malecón and in the low-lying areas of El Vedado due to the cyclone's intensity.