In the small village of Carrizal, located in Imías municipality, Guantánamo, residents endured a harrowing night as Hurricane Oscar unleashed its full force on the region. The villagers saved themselves by climbing onto the concrete roof of one of the few sturdy houses, spending the entire night braving the relentless rain.
This gripping tale was shared by a local woman with activist Yamilka Laffita, also known as Lara Crofs, who brought the story to light on her social media accounts this past Sunday. "Nobody died here, as far as I know," the woman from Guantánamo stated. "We climbed onto the roof of one of the three houses with a concrete slab to survive the night under the pouring rain."
The message to Laffita included photos showing the extensive damage caused by the hurricane. The woman recounted losing nearly all their possessions and said they have been surviving on crackers, a little rice, and plantains for four days. She urgently appealed for aid, especially food or means to purchase it, criticizing state vehicles for selling everything, leaving locals in dire need.
"It's all very sad. I've written to everyone I could, both inside and outside Cuba, so that this gets known. Thank you for everything you do for the poorest in your country. Blessings," she concluded in her message to Laffita. The activist noted that she transcribed the text to protect the woman's identity, as she fears reprisals despite needing help.
Desperate Times Amid Devastation
This account is just one of many from the residents of Imías and San Antonio del Sur, who struggled to protect themselves on the night of October 20 when Hurricane Oscar made landfall in Guantánamo, causing unprecedented flooding in both southern territories, and leaving a trail of destruction.
According to official media reports, the hurricane's aftermath necessitated the air evacuation of thousands of people, as the floods had isolated these communities. Many evacuees required urgent medical attention and were taken to hospitals.
Throughout the week, rescue teams have been tirelessly searching for missing families following mudslides and the swelling of rivers and reservoirs, as reported by community members. Although the government has confirmed only seven deaths—six in San Antonio del Sur and one in Imías—residents from these areas question the official figures, claiming that the actual death toll is higher and that there are dozens of missing individuals.