Hurricane Rafael knocks out Cuba’s power grid as storm sweeps across Island

Hurricane Rafael barreled across western Cuba on Wednesday, leaving widespread devastation in its wake as it became the latest storm to ravage the island.

With winds reaching up to 120 mph, the Category 3 hurricane knocked out Cuba’s entire power grid, sending massive waves crashing against Havana’s shores and flooding streets with debris. Trees were downed, and the city’s historic center was battered by fierce winds and rain as nightfall approached.

“This is a night I don’t want to sleep through, between the battering air and the trees,” said 72-year-old Silvia Pérez, a Havana resident. “I’m scared for my friends and family.” Pérez, along with thousands of others, prepared for the worst as the storm triggered evacuations across the western provinces of Cuba.

By Wednesday evening, Rafael had weakened to a Category 2 hurricane, still packing 105 mph winds as it moved northwest toward the Gulf of Mexico. The storm, which had previously affected Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, continued to threaten Cuba with “life-threatening” storm surges, flash floods, and further power outages.

The Cuban government had already activated emergency protocols, suspending public transport and closing schools in vulnerable areas. Authorities canceled flights to and from Havana and Varadero, while residents in coastal areas scrambled to secure their homes.

Rafael’s impact wasn’t limited to Cuba. The storm had already knocked out power in Jamaica, where crews were delayed by impassable roads, and in the Cayman Islands, which experienced severe flooding. A tropical storm warning was issued for several areas in Cuba, and the U.S. State Department warned American citizens to reconsider travel to the island.

The storm’s aftermath has compounded challenges for Cuba, which is still recovering from another deadly hurricane just weeks ago. With Rafael now moving into the Gulf of Mexico, concerns over residual flooding and storm surges in Florida and the southeastern U.S. remain high.

As Rafael becomes the 17th named storm of the 2024 hurricane season, which is expected to be one of the most active in recent memory, forecasters are predicting further threats to the region as the storm continues to make its way toward the Gulf.