On Wednesday, heavy rainfall once again led to flooding in various parts of Havana, with entire neighborhoods submerged and streets littered with debris due to the poor drainage of the capital's sewer system. Images shared by users on social media and independent press outlets illustrate the extent of the flooding and storms in districts like Centro Habana, La Habana Vieja, Cerro, and Plaza more vividly than words can.
The news outlet CubaNet released a video showing the situation around the Cuatro Caminos market and nearby areas on Wednesday night. "Completely underwater: this was the state of Cuatro Caminos in Havana last night after several days of rain exacerbated by sewer problems," they noted on the social platform X.
In an area of Vedado, near the Malecón, the water formed a massive lagoon that reached doorsteps and covered porches. Meanwhile, empty garbage containers floated aimlessly, as captured in images by Mildrey Ruiz.
Meteorologist Raydel Ruisánchez warned on his Facebook profile about the rains and thunderstorms recorded in the western region on Wednesday night. "Currently, there is a wide area of rainfall and thunderstorms over the western part of the country and the Isla de la Juventud. In recent hours, there have been strong and intense rains in areas of this region," he reported.
The expert advised taking extreme precautions, as the weather conditions could persist, increasing the "risk of sudden flooding in low-lying areas with poor drainage." For Thursday, the Cuban Institute of Meteorology (Insmet) predicted cloudiness across the nation in the afternoon, with showers, rain, and thunderstorms expected to be significant in the western half. According to the forecast, the precipitation would continue into the night and could be severe in some locations.
A weather map shared on Insmet's Facebook page highlighted areas in the western provinces experiencing heavy rain on Thursday afternoon. The intense rains in Havana on Tuesday afternoon and evening caused flash floods, turning several streets into garbage-laden rivers, hindering pedestrian and vehicle movement.
Residents in neighborhoods of Centro Habana and Diez de Octubre shared images and accounts of debris accumulation carried by the currents on social media, highlighting the insufficient drainage capacity of urban sanitation networks during intense rain events. Compounding the climatic phenomenon was a widespread power outage in the capital, another event in the series of prolonged and systematic electricity cuts that have plagued Cuba throughout 2025, severely impacting daily life for Cubans.
Understanding Havana's Flooding Crisis
What caused the recent flooding in Havana?
The recent flooding in Havana was caused by intense rainfall combined with the city's inadequate sewer system, which could not effectively manage the large volume of water.
Which areas of Havana were most affected by the floods?
The districts of Centro Habana, La Habana Vieja, Cerro, and Plaza were among the most affected by the floods, with entire neighborhoods becoming submerged.
How did the power outage impact Havana during the floods?
The power outage exacerbated the already challenging situation in Havana, as it added to the difficulties faced by residents dealing with the floodwaters and disrupted daily life.