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Cuban Woman Clings to Window Shutter to Survive Hurricane Oscar Flooding in San Antonio del Sur

Saturday, November 2, 2024 by Claire Jimenez

In the midst of the devastating floods brought by Hurricane Oscar in San Antonio del Sur, located in Cuba's Guantánamo province, a senior citizen named Ramona clung to a window shutter, battling against the rising waters to stay alive. During a meeting with Guantánamo visual artist Daniel Ross Diéguez, who has been aiding the storm victims, Ramona recounted her harrowing experience during those critical hours.

In a video shared on YouTube, she narrated how she was lying down when, at around four in the morning, water began surging into her home. Her initial reaction was to try to save her belongings, but time was not on her side. "The water was taking the TV and everything with it. I tried to open the door, but the door was swept away. So, I grabbed onto a tree outside and slowly made my way to the shutter," she told Ross Diéguez.

As the floodwaters continued to rise, Ramona described how she held onto the higher slats of the window until the water reached its peak. Another resident, a man aged 80, climbed onto a chair and held onto a cabinet. "By six in the morning, he said, ‘I hear people talking, I’m drowning,’” she recalled, highlighting the desperation of the moment as they awaited rescue.

Their rescue came thanks to two young men who bravely dove in with a rope. "We owe our lives to them. I have no words to express my gratitude," she said with visible emotion. Ross Diéguez later identified these heroes as Henry and Freidi, who not only saved Ramona but also other individuals trapped by the cyclone.

Impact of Hurricane Oscar on Guantánamo

Hurricane Oscar struck several municipalities in Guantánamo from October 20 to 21, unleashing severe floods and widespread destruction, particularly in San Antonio del Sur. The storm's ferocity caused rivers to overflow, sweeping away homes and trapping many residents who could not evacuate in time. As of now, the government has confirmed the tragic loss of eight lives due to the hurricane.

The relentless rains and hurricane-force winds caused water levels to rise swiftly, inundating streets and homes, and severely damaging the local infrastructure. The aftermath of the storm has left the community grappling with the extensive damage and loss.

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