The National Civil Defense General Staff has issued the Cyconic Alarm Level beginning at 6 a.m. on November 6, due to the threat of Hurricane Rafael, which has reached category one on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
With sustained winds of up to 140 kilometers per hour, Rafael threatens to cause severe weather in western and central Cuba, including the unique town of Isla de la Juventud.
According to the Weather Center at the Meteorological Institute, the weather will continue to worsen in the coming hours. Heavy rain, showers and thunderstorms are expected to affect the central and western parts of the country. Rainfall could reach between 100 and 200 millimeters in 24 hours, generating flooding in vulnerable areas.
Authorities are warning that strong storms on the south central and west coast will cause moderate to heavy coastal flooding. These will especially affect the southern part of the provinces of Sancti Spíritus, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Mayabeque, Artemisa and Pinar del Río, as well as the islands of Isla de la Juventud and Canarreos.
Categories at Cyconic alert level
With the threat of Rafael, the Cyclonic Alarm Level was declared for the areas of Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Mayabeque, Havana, Artemisa, Pinar del Río and the Special Municipality of Isla de la Juventud.
On the other hand, the eastern provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, Granma, Las Tunas, Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila will remain in the Information Level. This measure allows the authorities and residents of these areas to take measures to reduce the risks associated with the cyclone.
Tips for the people
The National Civil Defense General Staff urges the public to be informed of Rafael’s progress through national and local media, as well as official accounts on social networks.
The authorities recommend following the instructions issued by local authorities and Civil Defense teams in each area. These measures are essential to guarantee people’s safety and to reduce the risks of the storm’s effects.
Regular inspection and monitoring
The National Civil Defense General Staff, along with the Institute of Meteorology and the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources, will be closely monitoring the development and path of Hurricane Rafael.
Meteorological institutes will continue to report in a timely manner any changes in the intensity and direction of the cyclone, allowing authorities to adjust their action plans as necessary.
Given the situation, the authorities reiterate the call for calm and cooperation, remembering that compliance with preventive measures is essential in protecting both people and material assets.
Full note
INFORMATION NOTE No. 4 of the National Civil Defense General Staff on Hurricane Rafael.
November 5, 2024, 11:00 p.m
According to information from the Weather Center of the Institute of Meteorology, Storm Rafael became a hurricane, category one on the Saffir-Simpson scale with sustained winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour.
The weather will continue to worsen with rain, showers and thunderstorms, which will become strong and intense locally throughout the Western and Central regions of the country, with an accumulation between 100 and 200 millimeters in 24 hours.
There will be strong storms on the south and west coast, with moderate to strong coastal flooding in the southern areas of Sancti Spíritus, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Mayabeque, Artemisa and Pinar del Río, as well as Isla de la Juventud. and the Canary Islands.
Taking into account the above, it was decided to establish, starting at 06:00 on November 6, a CYCLONE ALARM Level for the areas of Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Mayabeque, Havana, Artemisa, Pinar del Río and the Special Municipality of Isla de la Juventud and maintaining the Information Level, Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, Granma, Las Tunas, Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila.
The public is asked to get information about how this system is evolving through the national, regional, municipal and official social media profiles and to strictly follow the instructions given by local authorities and Civil Defense.
The National Civil Defense Staff and the Institutes of Meteorology and National Hydraulic Resources monitor this cyclonic organism.
National Civil Defense Staff
