Hurricane Rafael, a Category 2 storm now moving away from Cuba back into the sea, has left a trail of destruction in its wake. The storm has caused trees and power lines to topple, damaged roofs on homes and state facilities, and led to flooding in various impacted areas. Social media is flooded with images that highlight the extent of the devastation, adding to the destruction previously caused by Hurricane Oscar in Guantánamo.
Journalist José Luis Guía posted on Facebook, describing the terrifying impact of the winds: "What we are experiencing now in Artemisa is frightening, with southern winds as the hurricane moves through the province at speeds exceeding 150 kilometers per hour." Meanwhile, Facebook user Pilar De Cuba shared images of the hurricane's damage to a hospital facility.
Nelson Saez also took to social media, sharing a video capturing the dramatic moment when one of the towers at a baseball stadium in Artemisa collapsed. Activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia uploaded a photo gallery displaying the wreckage left by the hurricane in the municipality of Alquízar, Artemisa. Frank González Gutiérrez highlighted further destruction on Facebook, showing damage to roofs, government buildings, and homes.
Ongoing Effects and Government Response
In a post on its official Facebook page, the Havana government reported that the eye of Hurricane Rafael has now exited the national territory via the Bay of Cabañas, Artemisa. "However, rain and winds are expected to persist in the western part of the country for several more hours," they noted.