Civil Defense Issues Alert for Hurricane Oscar’s Potential Impact Hurricane in Eastern Cuba.

Satelite image of Hurricane Oscar’s graphic predictions. Photo: X/ @NHC_Atlantic

October 19, 2024 Hour: 5:45 pm

The General Staff of the Civil Defense of Cuba issued an alert on Saturday for the possible impact of hurricane Oscar in the eastern region of the country expected on Sunday’s night.

Tropical Storm Oscar, located in the north of the Dominican Republic and heading west, could affect the eastern region of the country in the next 12 to 24 hours, causing rain and tropical storm winds, as well as the north coast from Guantánamo to Las Tunas, which will increase in intensity.

Cuba’s Civil Defense, specialized agency in disaster situations warned about the risk of impact of this category 1 hurricane especially in the northeast area of the Caribbean country that expects rains, waves and strong winds.

#Oscar was first named a 40 mph Tropical Storm three hours ago. He is now a CATEGORY 1 HURRICANE with winds of 80 mph and a 989 mbar pressure that has dropped a staggering 18 mbar in that time. The first 5-day forecast cone didn’t take him higher than 50 mph. Eastern #Cuba is now… pic.twitter.com/LTRDIhnJaL
— Backpirch Weather (@BackpirchCrew) October 19, 2024

“Given this situation and the risks it poses for the region, we need to pay close attention to its development, boost hydrometeorological monitoring, and implement specific measures in each area to minimize impacts on the population and economic resources,” said Civil Defense’s statement.

In addition, the organisation said people is advised to stay alert on updates from the Cuba’s Meteorological Institute and Civil Defense through media outlets and official social media profiles,as well as strictly follow the guidelines given by local authorities and conduct rules to prevent loss of life.

The latest Insmet report indicates that the maximum winds from Hurricane Oscar reached 130 km/h, becoming a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Its minimum pressure has fallen to 989 hectopascals and is moving westward at 19 km/h.

Oscar was located 175 km north of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and 390 km east-northeast of Punta de Maisí, Cuba. Although a moderate season was expected, 17 tropical storms formed, including six hurricanes.