Whole of Cuba loses power as Hurricane Rafael hits

Cuba has suffered a nationwide blackout arsenic Hurricane Rafael brings winds of up to 185km/h (115mph) to the Caribbean island.

A connection from the country's nationalist vigor institution said "strong winds caused by the large hurricane Rafael caused the shutdown of the nationalist energy system" and that exigency protocols had been activated.

The category-three hurricane made landfall connected Wednesday evening and is expected to bring tempest surges, flash flooding, and mudslides, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).

It comes conscionable weeks aft millions were near without powerfulness for 4 days pursuing a blackout caused by issues with the country's creaking vigor infrastructure. The incidental besides coincided with Hurricane Oscar, which killed astatine slightest six people.

Rafael made landfall successful the occidental state of Artemisa, adjacent superior Havana, astatine astir 16:15 section clip (21:15 GMT), the NHC said.

More than 70,000 radical were evacuated from their homes successful advance, according to section media.

The NHC said the tempest would bring dense rains crossed occidental Cuba done Thursday and that tempest surges could airs a information to life.

Rafael is expected to weaken somewhat arsenic it crosses the land but to inactive beryllium a hurricane erstwhile it emerges into the Gulf of Mexico.

Heavy rains are besides expected successful the Cayman Islands, portion a tropical tempest informing is successful unit successful the Florida Keys.

Last month, astir 10 cardinal radical successful Cuba were near without powerfulness following a blackout caused by attraction issues and a deficiency of substance to tally powerfulness stations.

That blackout besides coincided with Hurricane Oscar, a little almighty class 1 tempest that near a way of demolition on the island's north-eastern coast.

The worst-affected country was the eastbound state of Guantánamo, wherever much than 1,000 homes were damaged by dense rains and beardown winds.

British tourer Klara Kszczotek said she was not disquieted astir the interaction of Hurricane Rafael.

“I conjecture we are not truly scared, due to the fact that we are watching the quality and truthful on, truthful for present I deliberation we are fine,” she said.