1620kHz definitely off.
Cuba has suffered a nationwide blackout as Hurricane Rafael brings winds of up to 185km/h (115mph) to the Caribbean island.
A statement from the country’s national energy company said “strong winds caused by the major hurricane Rafael caused the shutdown of the national electricity system” and that emergency protocols had been activated.
The category-three hurricane made landfall on Wednesday evening and is expected to bring storm surges, flash flooding, and mudslides, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
It comes just weeks after millions were left without power for four days following a blackout caused by issues with the country’s creaking energy infrastructure. The incident also coincided with Hurricane Oscar, which killed at least six people.
Rafael made landfall in the western province of Artemisa, near capital Havana, at around 16:15 local time (21:15 GMT), the NHC said.
More than 70,000 people were evacuated from their homes in advance, according to local media.
The NHC said the storm would bring heavy rains across western Cuba through Thursday and that storm surges could pose a danger to life.
Rafael is expected to weaken slightly as it crosses the island but to still be a hurricane when it emerges into the Gulf of Mexico.
Heavy rains are also expected in the Cayman Islands, while a tropical storm warning is in force in the Florida Keys.
Steve Whitt to mwcircle iog (2024-11-07)