Cuba: Thousands remain evacuated across parts of Guantanamo and Holguin provinces following the passing of Hurricane Oscar as of early Oct. 22

Disruptions associated with the passing of Hurricane Oscar are ongoing across parts of eastern Cuba as of early Oct. 22. The storm system made landfall near Baracoa in Guantanamo Province around 18:10 Oct. 20 before weakening into a tropical storm and slowly turning northwestward over the region before exiting into the North Atlantic ocean off the coast of Holguin province Oct. 21. Heavy rainfall and strong winds associated with Oscar have caused damage and widespread flooding across parts of Guantanamo and Holguin provinces and tens of thousands of people have been evacuated. Authorities have reported at least six fatalities across the affected areas.

Significant damage to homes and other buildings has been reported in parts of Guantanamo, mainly around Baracoa and Maisi, near where the storm made landfall. More than 25,000 people remained in evacuation shelters in Guantanamo Bay as of late Oct. 21. Landslides and flooding have blocked several roads in the region and large areas of crops have been destroyed. Heavy rainfall has also led to flooding across parts of Holguin, with areas around Moa the worst affected. More than 58,000 people have been evacuated from flood-prone areas across the province. Power outages associated with critical failures to the power grid have been impacting the whole of Cuba in recent days, and damage to power lines and other electricity infrastructure caused by the storm will likely hamper restoration efforts in affected areas.

Further showers and storms are forecast over eastern parts of Cuba through at least Oct. 25; additional downpours will likely exacerbate the ongoing flood situation and hamper response and recovery operations.

Protracted transport and business disruptions are certain in affected areas as emergency crews continue recovery efforts. Further utility outages will likely occur over the coming days and weeks, and shortages of fuel and other essential goods are probable.

Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding may increase the incidence of insect-borne and waterborne diseases, such as cholera. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters could pose a severe health threat.