Storms and Loss of Power: Cuba’s Conditions Deteriorate

Cuba was plunged into darkness for days following a widespread power outage before Hurricane Oscar made landfall on Sunday night.

Tourists had complained over the weekend that they had been transferred to hotels that ran on generators, sometimes in questionable conditions. 

Travel Warnings

On Saturday, Sunwing posted an  online warning  to customers who were flying to Cuba that day or the next day, offering them the option of changing their departure date, changing their destination, cancelling for a full refund, or travelling as planned.

“Please note that if you decide to travel, Sunwing will not provide any refunds or compensation if your vacation is interrupted by the current outage,” the notice states.

The main companies have assured that they are monitoring the development of the situation.

Shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday, the Government of Canada issued a travel advisory on its  travel advice page for Cuba.

“As of October 18, 2024, Cuba has been facing a nationwide power outage. No information has been provided as to when electricity services will be restored,” the Canadian government warned.

The outage came as Hurricane Oscar was expected to hit the country. A hurricane warning has been issued by the Cuban government in the provinces of Guantanamo, Holguin and Las Tunas.

Oscar made landfall in eastern Cuba on Sunday with winds reaching 130 km/h, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

According to the source,  Oscar  made landfall on the Cuban coast in Guantanamo province, near the city of Baracoa, on the far eastern tip of the island, at 5:50 p.m. (Eastern time).

“Hurricane  Oscar  has made landfall in the vicinity of Baracao,” the Cuban Meteorological Institute (Insmet) confirmed on its Facebook page. “The Maisi Point weather station reports sustained winds of 80 km/h and a gust of 116 km/h at 17:25 local time (17:25 Eastern Time).” 

In Cuba, electricity is produced by eight obsolete thermoelectric power plants, sometimes broken down or undergoing maintenance, as well as by several floating power plants rented from Turkish companies, and by generators.

In September 2022, the island had already experienced a general blackout after Hurricane  Ian  hit the west of the island. It took several days for the capital to fully restore power and several weeks across the island.

*according to The Canadian Press

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