Hurricane Oscar tore into the southeastern Bahamas early Sunday and was bound for Cuba, an island that just last week suffered one of the largest power outages in history.
The National Hurricane Centre in Miami said the storm’s center was over Great Inagua Island. It will bring dangerous overtopping of storm surge there and elsewhere in the southeastern Bahamas, the NHC said, translating into heavy coastal flooding.
Two to four inches of rain are expected, with up to six inches in isolated areas.
Five to 10 inches of rain are forecasted in eastern Cuba through Tuesday, with some isolated areas potentially getting as much as 15 inches, the National Hurricane Center said.
Oscar is organized in the eastern Bahamas Saturday and has since moved just south of the Turks and Caicos islands.
The National Hurricane Center earlier described the storm as “tiny,” but hurricane warnings were in place Sunday for southeastern Bahamas and parts of Cuba.
The storm’s maximum sustained winds were measured at 80 mph with higher gusts. Its center was about 150 miles east-northeast of Guantanamo, Cuba.
The storm was moving west at a speed of 12 mph and was expected to reach Guantanamo or Holguin, Cuba, on Sunday afternoon at hurricane strength.
The hurricane’s approach comes as Cuba attempts to recover from its worst blackout in at least two years, which left millions without power for two days last week. Some electrical service was restored Saturday.
Philippe Pap in of the National Hurricane Center said it was somewhat unexpected that Oscar became a hurricane Saturday.
“Unfortunately the system kind of snuck up a little bit on us,” Pap in said.
Just a few hours before, Tropical Storm Nadine had formed off Mexico’s southern Caribbean coast. Moving inland, Nadine degenerated into a tropical depression.
Safety Precautions:
- Such is to take the safety measures properly, especially for those who are already in the affected areas.
- Monitor Information: Keep the updates of the NHC and even the local weather stations. Weather conditions can develop fast and change at any short notice. Therefore, one should be kept informed.
- Be Prepared with an Emergency Kit: Have a disaster supply kit at hand, which contains water, non-perishable food, medicines, flashlights, battery and important documents.
- Protect Your Home: Board all windows with plywood, tie up outdoor furniture, and take any other steps you feel necessary to protect your home from wind damage and the potential for flooding.
- Evacuate if Ordered to Do So: If evacuation of your neighborhood is ordered or recommended, please leave immediately. Just enjoy the ride and thank the powers that be later for saving your life.
Looking Forward:
As Hurricane Oscar is yet to make landfall in Cuba, the path it takes is still uncertain. The NHC will continue to monitor the storm and update on the same. Although it’s more than likely that the storm fades away as it moves inland, there’s also a possibility of heavy rainfall accompanied by flooding, especially in many areas.
The residents from both Cuba and the southeastern United States should stay alert; Hurricane Oscar remains on track. Get ready for this possible interruption in the event and be sensitive to advisory from your local authority concerning safety for you and your family.
Conclusion:
Hurricane Oscar reminds one of the power and unpredictability of nature. Communities unite in the face of this storm, where safety as the most important priority combines with adequate information about the storm.
The coming days will illuminate the full extent of effects brought by the hurricane, but when in the face of a hurricane, all the difference between safety and recovery will be made by being adequately prepared.