The city of Camagüey descended into chaos on Tuesday after a severe local storm unleashed heavy rain, hail, and intense lightning strikes. Meteorologist Yosmelvi Páez confirmed that the torrential downpour led to sudden flooding in various parts of the provincial capital, directly impacting crucial infrastructure like the Amalia Simoni Hospital, which was inundated.
Images circulating on social media depict the hospital corridors transformed into streams, with nurses and staff wading through with their pants rolled up, illuminating their way with flashlights or cell phones, seemingly due to a power outage. This scene once again highlights the deterioration of the Cuban healthcare system, whose facilities, lacking proper maintenance, frequently collapse under recurring weather phenomena on the Island.
Submerged Streets, Businesses, and Neighborhoods
The flooding extended beyond the hospital. Photos shared by Páez also show the La Caridad Shopping Center (Estrella Roja) submerged. Independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada confirmed damages in La Norma, Saratoga, José Martí, La Zambrana, Puerto Príncipe, and General Gómez Street, among other city locations.
The Facebook group La Tijera reported that the overflowing Hatibonico River and several streams worsened the situation, covering streets, trapping vehicles, and forcing the evacuation of families by boat in low-lying areas. Local authorities issued alerts and stated they are working to assist the affected people, although citizen reports emphasize the disaster's magnitude.
Collapsed Drainage Systems and Sanitary Risks
Beyond the rainfall, residents point to structural issues as the main cause of the extent of the damage. Users reported clogged drains, sewage systems left uncleaned for years, and garbage accumulation at street corners, all of which created a perfect storm for water to have nowhere to escape.
"The amount of trash the water dragged through the streets is astonishing," one user wrote. Another young woman warned about the risk of outbreaks of dengue, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal diseases following the flooding and reminded that the lost material goods "cannot be recovered."
The harshest criticism came from a neighbor: "Heavy rains and lightning strikes have been battering our city for several days, the saturated ground and clogged drains do not collect the garbage that the water carries, and those who run this country couldn't care less."
The events in Camagüey reveal not only vulnerability to natural phenomena but also the consequences of governmental neglect in basic cleaning services, drainage, and urban maintenance. The storm may have passed, but the unrest, material losses, and fear of future floods continue to weigh heavily on the people of Camagüey.
Understanding Camagüey's Flood Crisis
What caused the severe flooding in Camagüey?
The severe flooding in Camagüey was primarily caused by a local storm that brought heavy rain, hail, and lightning, leading to sudden flooding. Structural issues such as clogged drains and unkempt sewage systems exacerbated the situation.
How did the flooding affect Camagüey's infrastructure?
The flooding severely impacted key infrastructure, including the Amalia Simoni Hospital, which experienced inundation. Businesses, streets, and neighborhoods were also submerged, causing significant disruptions.
What are the potential health risks following the flooding?
The flooding poses potential health risks such as outbreaks of dengue, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal diseases due to stagnant water and unsanitary conditions.