A powerful local storm hit Unión de Reyes in Matanzas province on Tuesday afternoon, leaving behind a trail of destruction affecting roofs, trees, and sports facilities. According to a Facebook update by the Girón newspaper, the weather event occurred between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., with straight-line winds exceeding 90 kilometers per hour, accompanied by thunderstorms.
Luis Enrique Álvarez Almenares from the Forecasting Center of the Matanzas Provincial Meteorological Center confirmed that the storm led to the loss of the roof of the pharmacy in Juan Gualberto Gómez, alongside other roofing damages and fallen trees. The weather station in Unión de Reyes recorded 30.4 millimeters of rain in just 22 minutes, and several residents reported hailstones.
The judo gym of INDER was among the affected structures, with its roof destroyed and the training mat severely damaged, as reported by Radio Unión journalist Roxana Valdés. Sports personnel acted swiftly to secure and relocate materials to a safe location.
Meteorologist Raúl Hernández Soriano classified the event as a severe local storm, emphasizing the destructive wind intensity, even though no tornado was recorded. "The storm was triggered by a trough in the mid and low levels of the atmosphere that moved from the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico towards the western part of the country," Hernández explained to the local newspaper.
The expert warned that such disturbances, also known as short waves, are common during seasonal transitions, particularly towards the end of April. The trough is expected to move eastward in the coming hours, increasing the likelihood of rain and thunderstorms in municipalities like Martí, Los Arabos, and Ciénaga de Zapata.
Journalist Hanoi Moreno Enríquez shared images and short video clips on Facebook capturing the heavy rains within minutes. "A trough in the Gulf of Mexico caused hail and local thunderstorms in Unión de Reyes this afternoon due to intense solar heating," Moreno highlighted.
Roxana Valdés remarked on her Facebook profile, "It appears to be a Local Storm. Hail falls in Unión de Reyes," and shared a video demonstrating the storm's impact on the municipality. Meanwhile, the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER) announced an immediate call for support to aid recovery efforts at the affected judo gym in Unión de Reyes.
Leaders and workers from the organization promptly joined the crews tasked with clearing debris, repairing damage, and restoring the damaged sports areas. Thanks to their efforts, a partial recovery of the facility was achieved in a short time, allowing for the assessment of material losses to begin.
Impact of Severe Local Storm in Matanzas
What caused the severe local storm in Matanzas?
The severe storm was caused by a trough in the mid and low levels of the atmosphere, moving from the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico towards Cuba's western region.
What areas were most affected by the storm in Unión de Reyes?
The storm caused significant damage to roofs, including the pharmacy in Juan Gualberto Gómez, and devastated the judo gym of INDER, among other structures.
What was the response to the storm's damage?
INDER initiated a rapid response, organizing crews to clear debris, repair damages, and restore sports areas. Their efforts led to a partial recovery of the facilities.