The Cuban Institute of Meteorology's Forecast Center (INSMET) has announced that tropical storm Oscar is set to leave Cuban territory, heading out to sea from the northern coast of Holguín this Monday evening. INSMET's 14th bulletin highlights that this weather event, which has brought heavy rains and strong winds to the eastern part of the island, will begin to move away tonight, though its impacts will still be felt for several more hours.
Rains, showers, and thunderstorms linked to Oscar are expected to persist across many eastern provinces, with some mountainous areas experiencing particularly intense conditions. Winds have been recorded between 45 and 60 kilometers per hour, with stronger gusts, but they are anticipated to gradually weaken as the storm moves over the ocean. Despite this, coastal flooding and high surf will likely continue to affect Holguín and Las Tunas provinces, according to INSMET.
The storm has slightly increased its speed, now traveling at 9 kilometers per hour, shifting its path towards the northwest. As of 3 PM, the center of the tropical storm was located at 20.7 degrees North latitude and 75.9 degrees West longitude, approximately 25 kilometers west of Mayarí and 25 kilometers southwest of Antilla, both in Holguín.
Impact of Oscar's Passage Through Guantánamo
Meteorological authorities urge residents in eastern Cuba to stay vigilant regarding Oscar's path, particularly due to the threat of heavy rains that could lead to flooding in vulnerable areas. Before weakening into a storm, hurricane Oscar devastated crops in Guantánamo, destroying coffee, banana, and tomato plants, as reported by the state-run newspaper Venceremos. The report noted that nearly all ripe coffee was lost, with a preliminary estimate indicating that 40,000 cans ended up on the ground.
Oscar made landfall in Baracoa on Sunday around 5:50 PM, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The 130 km/h winds caused significant damage: roofs were torn off homes and businesses, trees were uprooted, crops were flattened, and power lines were downed, leaving a stark aftermath.
The Cuban government has preliminarily reported damage to more than a thousand homes across various municipalities in Guantánamo province. The renowned La Farola highway, connecting the municipalities of Imías and Baracoa through a winding mountain route, has been cut off due to landslides caused by the rain. Meanwhile, the municipality of Maisí also suffered severe impacts from Oscar, which has now been downgraded to a tropical storm.