- The dangerous hurricane “Ian” has reached Cuba and apparently caused the entire power grid to collapse there.
- With sustained wind speeds of up to 205 kilometers per hour, the cyclone made landfall in the west of the Caribbean island.
- According to meteorologists, a decrease in strength is initially not to be expected. “Ian” is now heading for the US state of Florida.
“Ian” reached Cuba as a category 3 of 5 hurricane in the early morning (10:30 a.m. CEST), as the US Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami announced. A decrease in strength is initially not to be expected.
Around 50,000 people in coastal areas have been brought to safety, Cuban state media reported. Cuban head of state Miguel Díaz-Canel called on the population and authorities on Twitter to take precautions. The nationwide power outage after the hurricane passed through was due to weather-related damage to the power grid
Social media users reported a terrifying night from the hard-hit areas of western Cuba. A video showed a house flooded during heavy rain because the roof was missing. Flooded streets and fallen trees were seen in several locations.
Communication with the people affected was restricted, according to reports on state television, internet access and telephone connections failed in some places. The storm also made itself felt in the capital, Havana, with rain and strong winds.
Tobacco region is most affected
The tobacco region Pinar del Río, located around 150 kilometers west of the capital Havana, was hardest hit. The fields would be covered to protect them from the storm. Around 33,000 tons of tobacco leaves from previous harvests were brought to protected storage, it was said. Cigars are one of Cuba’s best-known products and an important source of income for the socialist Caribbean island. According to the Cuban news agency ACN, the strong gusts damaged cables and knocked over power poles. Around 40 percent of the customers of the local utility in Pinar del Río are without electricity.
Legend:
According to meteorologists, a decrease in strength is initially not to be expected. “Ian” is now heading for the US state of Florida.
Reuters/STRINGER
After Cuba, the hurricane may then move further towards the west coast of Florida with a magnitude 4. Meteorologists there warn of storm surges from Wednesday – the risk is greatest between the cities of Fort Myers and Tampa. Hurricane force winds are expected from late Tuesday evening (local time).
Governor warns population
The governor of the southeastern US state, Ron DeSantis, had already declared a state of emergency at the weekend as a precaution and called on the population to take precautions. Floods are expected, he said on Monday.
Several thousand National Guard soldiers were mobilized. He hopes his state won’t be hit too hard. However, people should expect power outages – these could last for several days. “Safety is paramount,” warned DeSantis.