The town of Bauta in the province of Artemisa awoke on Thursday submerged in water following the heavy rainfalls unleashed by Hurricane Rafael as it swept through the area.
Raymichel García took to Facebook, sharing a series of images showcasing the severe flooding in this part of Artemisa. "This is how Bauta wakes up after Hurricane Rafael," the broadcaster noted in his social media post. The photos vividly illustrate the significant rise in water levels, reaching several centimeters high.
In the Facebook group "Gente de Bauta," user Rosa Barreda García also shared a collection of images that depict the extensive flooding in the town. "Images from Calle 158, all houses flooded. Very sad," Barreda remarked in a brief yet poignant message.
By around 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Hurricane Rafael had entered the country as a Category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale. It later exited the region through the Bay of Cabañas, Artemisa, at around 7:00 p.m., downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane.
Devastation in Artemisa
As it passed through the province of Artemisa, the hurricane left a trail of destruction. Significant damage was reported at multiple hospitals in this western territory.
Additionally, several baseball stadiums in the province suffered damage in the wake of the storm. One of the most notable incidents was the collapse of a lighting tower at the "26 de Julio" stadium in Artemisa's capital, a scene reminiscent of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian in 2022.