Hurricane Oscar Threatens to Worsen Cuba's Power Crisis, Raising Fears of Humanitarian Crisis
Hurricane Oscar may intensify and cause severe flooding and power crisis in Cuba, posing risks to lives and response efforts.
Hurricane Oscar is predicted to strike Cuba on Sunday amidst an ongoing power crisis on the island, exacerbating concerns about the potential devastation from the storm. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Oscar, a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 80 mph as of Sunday morning, has already moved through the Southeastern Bahamas. Forecasters expect the storm to weaken and make a swift U-turn, heading back toward the Bahamas early next week.
Cuba is projected to receive 5 to 10 inches of rain through Tuesday, and some areas could see up to 15 inches, as per the National Hurricane Center. The heavy rainfall raises significant concerns about flash flooding and other related issues in the region.
Storm Surge and Humanitarian Concerns
The NHC has forecasted a dangerous storm surge in the southeastern part of the Bahamas and the northern shore of Cuba. Accuweather forecasters have expressed fears that Oscar could intensify into a Category 2 storm, amplifying the potential impact on the affected areas.
Flash Flooding and Landslides
The steep terrain of southeastern Cuba poses a heightened risk of major flash flooding, mudslides, and rockslides due to heavy rainfall. Jon Porter, a chief meteorologist for AccuWeather, warned that the combination of these factors could lead to a humanitarian crisis in some parts of southeast Cuba if Hurricane Oscar makes a close pass or landfall.
The situation is compounded by an existing power crisis in Cuba, heightening concerns about the storm's impact. The Cuban government restored power to a fifth of the country's 10 million residents after its national grid collapsed twice within 24 hours, as reported by Reuters. The first collapse occurred on Friday afternoon when the largest power plant shut down, and the grid collapsed again on Saturday morning. Despite progress in restoring power, authorities announced another grid collapse on Saturday evening.
Emergency experts have expressed serious concerns about the ongoing power grid crisis in Cuba and its potential exacerbation by Hurricane Oscar. They emphasized that the combination of the hurricane's impact and the existing power failure could pose severe risks to lives, hinder preparedness and response efforts, and complicate recovery from the storm.
Tracking Tropical Depression Nadine
In addition to Hurricane Oscar, the NHC is monitoring tropical depression Nadine, which is expected to bring heavy rain to southern Mexico. As of Sunday morning, no watches or warnings were in effect due to Nadine, but the storm is anticipated to dissipate later in the day.
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