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Heavy rainfall, winds, and flooding were reported in the low-lying areas of eastern Cuba after Hurricane Oscar made landfall on Sunday evening. Oscar has now weakened to a tropical storm after the landfall, according to the US National Hurricane Center.
The storm had winds of 70 mph and was located 40 miles east of Guantanamo, moving west-northwest at 6 mph.
In an advisory issued at 8 pm ET, the hurricane center said, “Oscar was bringing hurricane conditions, heavy rainfall, and storm surge to portions of eastern Cuba.” It also warned that heavy rain could lead to significant flash flooding and mudslides.
The storm’s center made landfall near Baracoa, producing thunderstorms, rain, and moderate flooding in the area. Cuban media reported high swells along the coast and some building damage in Baracoa.
The storm is expected to bring 6 to 12 inches of rain across eastern Cuba until early Wednesday, with isolated locations receiving up to 18 inches. A storm surge of up to 3 feet is possible in some northern coastal areas.
Initially, Oscar was a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph when it hit Guantanamo province near Baracoa. The storm is forecast to weaken as it moves north of Cuba late Monday and heads toward the southeastern and central Bahamas.
Oscar’s center was last located about 20 miles west of Cuba’s eastern tip and 45 miles east of Guantanamo, moving west-southwest at 6 mph.
Oscar initially struck Great Inagua Island in the Bahamas, causing coastal flooding and producing 2 to 4 inches of rainfall. Some areas saw up to 6 inches of rainfall.
The hurricane’s arrival comes as Cuba tries to recover from its worst blackout in two years, which left millions without power for two days last week. However, some electrical service was restored on Saturday.
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