Nationwide Blackout in Cuba as Hurricane Rafael Strikes

On Wednesday, the entire nation of Cuba experienced a complete blackout due to Hurricane Rafael, which made landfall with wind speeds reaching 185km/h (115mph). According to reports, the country's national energy company attributed the shutdown of the electric grid to the hurricane's strong winds. The storm compelled authorities to evacuate at least 70,000 residents, who faced severe threats of storm surges, flash flooding, and potential mudslides.

As Rafael, a category three hurricane, approached the western province of Artemisa near Havana at approximately 16:15 local time (21:15 GMT), engineers braced for impact. The spokesperson for Union Eléctrica stated that damage assessments would only begin once the storm had passed, raising concerns given the recent history of blackouts on the island. Just a month prior, millions of Cubans endured a four-day blackout linked to deteriorating energy infrastructure and fuel shortages, coinciding with Hurricane Oscar, which caused fatalities.

By late evening, Hurricane Rafael had weakened to a category two storm with maximum winds of 169km/h and moved into the Gulf of Mexico. Persistent heavy rain was expected to continue across western Cuba, increasing risks of dangerous storm surges. Similarly, warnings extended to the Cayman Islands and the Florida Keys, illustrating the broader regional impact. The situation highlights Cuba's ongoing struggles with its energy sector and the vulnerabilities faced in the face of natural disasters.