In the wake of Hurricane Rafael's passage on Wednesday evening, several baseball stadiums in Artemisa province have suffered significant damage. Among the most notable incidents is the collapse of a light tower at the "26 de Julio" stadium in the capital of Artemisa, echoing a similar event that occurred during Hurricane Ian in 2022.
The official Cuban website Cubadebate released a video capturing the moment the structure succumbed to the hurricane's fierce winds. According to a report from the local television center ARTV on Facebook, the stadium also experienced severe roof damage.
The sports news outlet, Pelota Cubana, also reported destruction at the Güira de Melena ('Tricontinental') and San Antonio de los Baños ('Julio Pérez') stadiums. Photographs from these venues reveal collapsed sections of walls and significant roof loss.
Hurricane's Path and Impact
Rafael reached a Category 3 status on the Saffir-Simpson scale as it moved across Cuba. It made landfall around 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday and exited the country as a Category 2 storm near 7:00 p.m. through the Bay of Cabañas in Artemisa.
Social media users have shared images and videos documenting the extensive damage left by the hurricane across various municipalities in this western region, as well as in Havana and Mayabeque.
Widespread Destruction in Artemisa
The Cuban government has acknowledged that Artemisa bears the brunt of the destruction, especially in critical infrastructure like hospitals, schools, service centers, homes, roofs, and the electrical grid.