The National Civil Defense Staff announced an Informative Phase on Saturday afternoon for the provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Granma, Las Tunas, and Camagüey, due to the looming threat of Hurricane Oscar, which has intensified to a Category One storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
According to the Forecast Center at the Institute of Meteorology, Oscar is moving in a west to west-southwest direction, increasing in strength, which will lead to a gradual worsening of weather conditions in the eastern provinces. The tenth hurricane of the season is expected to make landfall somewhere along the northern coast of Holguín.
Storm Impact and Precautionary Measures
In the coming hours, residents can expect showers, rain, thunderstorms, and increasing wind speeds, along with storm surges on the northern coasts of Guantánamo, Holguín, and Las Tunas. Coastal flooding is a possibility in low-lying areas, including the Malecon of Baracoa, reported the government website Cubadebate.
Authorities are urging the public to stay informed about the hurricane's progress through media and official social media channels, and to carefully follow the instructions issued by local officials and Civil Defense. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz also took to social media, stating: "With Hurricane Oscar approaching the eastern provinces, we are taking all necessary measures. We ask our people to remain alert, stay informed, and comply with local authorities' guidance."
Continuous Monitoring Amidst Challenges
Both the Institute of Meteorology and the National Institute of Water Resources are closely monitoring this meteorological event to ensure the population's safety, according to the official statement.
This proximity of the tenth hurricane of the current cyclone season to eastern Cuba comes amidst the island's chaotic situation, facing a massive blackout and persistent internet disruptions since Friday. Many communities are unable to access information due to the widespread power outage in the Caribbean nation.