Hurricane Rafael causes nationwide blackout in Cuba

Hurricane Rafael made landfall in Cuba on November 6, 2024, causing a nationwide blackout. The storm, now a Category 3 hurricane, brought winds of nearly 115 mph and prompted evacuations of over 70,000 people in western provinces. The national power company reported that strong winds led to the shutdown of the electricity system. Nine provinces, including Havana, are under storm alert, with businesses closed and transport services halted. Airports in western Cuba have also been temporarily shut down. This storm follows a recent four-day blackout caused by a power plant failure. Cuba has been experiencing ongoing power cuts amid a severe economic crisis. The government has mobilized the military to assist with storm response efforts.