The Methodist Church in Guantánamo has announced its plans to provide shelter for approximately 65 individuals, primarily children, from San Antonio del Sur who have been left with virtually nothing after the catastrophic floods triggered by Hurricane Oscar. In addition to providing shelter, the church will offer medical support and necessary medications, as stated in a Facebook post by the organization.
The torrential rains brought by Oscar submerged several communities in San Antonio del Sur, with floodwaters reaching up to a meter in certain areas. The rapid rise of the Sabanalamar and Los Ciguatos rivers resulted in severe damage to homes and the loss of personal belongings and appliances, leaving low-income families facing significant recovery challenges.
Tragically, at least six individuals reportedly drowned in this region, according to Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel. Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, have circulated images highlighting the extent of the flooding and the community's efforts in rescue operations.
Challenges Amidst Evacuation Efforts
Despite organized evacuation efforts in San Antonio del Sur and Imías, where over 15,000 residents were relocated, some were caught off guard by the sudden river surges, lacking adequate time to move to safer areas. The situation was further complicated by a widespread blackout across the island, hampering evacuation and preparedness efforts by disrupting communication and limiting access to weather updates.
The power outage also compromised the Civil Defense's alert systems, hindering the preparation and response to the approaching hurricane. Amid these dire circumstances, numerous Cuban activists have mobilized to send humanitarian aid to those affected.