Location: Cuba
Event: Hurricane Rafael – Recovery Phase and Ongoing Nationwide Power Outage
As of 10:00 a.m. local, November 7, 2024, the Cuban Civil Defense reported Hurricane Rafael is no longer a threat and the nation moved to recovery phase for the western provinces of Havana, Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Mayabeque, and the Island of Youth. The provinces of Matanzas, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spíritus, and Ciego de Ávila have returned to normal operations.
The national electrical grid remains disconnected, with no updates about when power will be fully restored to the island. Telecommunications network outages persist in several areas, which makes communications challenging. The Travel Alert for Cuba is Level 3- Reconsider Travel .
Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport resumed operations at 12:00 PM local time on November 7, 2024. Travelers should contact their respective airlines to confirm flight status.
The U.S. Embassy continues to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Cuba. However, travel outside of the Havana area for U.S. Embassy employees requires a special notification process which may affect the Embassy’s ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Cuba. Additionally, under Cuban law, during disaster events the Cuban government can prohibit movement of persons and transportation, further limiting services.
Actions to Take:
- Have a personal emergency action plan that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
- Follow the instructions of local civil defense authorities
- Monitor local media for developments.
- Conserve water and non-perishable food.
- Keep cellphone and other communication devices charged.
- Keep friends and family advised of your whereabouts via phone, text, and social media.
- Visit the Department of State’s Crisis and Disaster Abroad: Be Ready page for more information.
- U.S. citizens needing emergency assistance should call +(53) (7) 839-4100.
- Enroll in step.state.gov to receive updates.
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