Today, a severe local storm unleashed more than 62 millimeters of rain over the city of Las Tunas in just an hour and ten minutes, as reported by the Provincial Meteorological Center through Periódico 26 de Las Tunas.
The meteorological agency highlighted that the heavy downpour was accompanied by intense lightning and strong winds. The official weather station recorded a peak gust of 80 km/h and an accumulation of 40 mm at its location. This discrepancy underscores the storm's concentration over the urban center, where the rainfall reached 62 mm.
Images circulating on social media depicted streets fully flooded, with vehicles struggling to navigate through the water and trees violently swayed by the wind, reducing visibility due to the rain's intensity.
At least one local reported being caught in the downpour. "I got trapped by the heavy rain on a porch on Martí Street," Ramón Suárez wrote on Facebook. Another resident, Nag Almaguer, believed the actual rainfall exceeded official figures: "It rained more than that, at least 80 mm."
The predominant reaction on social media was one of relief. "Welcome rain to my city, in one of the provinces where it rains the least," wrote Diosdado Uliver. Arelis Viera Reyes echoed the collective sentiment: "Thank God because we were almost melting."
However, not all feedback was celebratory. David P. Fernández warned of a structural health risk: "The bigger issue is the accumulation of trash everywhere, which the rain then drags along. Later, there are these big journalistic pieces shocked by supposed viruses and the spread of hepatitis, among other diseases." Ricardo Pérez concurred: "City cleanup only happens when it rains heavily. It washes away the solid waste that this incompetent government fails to regularly remove."
Today's episode marks the second intense event in less than ten days. The onset of the spring rainy season in Las Tunas began on April 26 with 108.9 mm accumulated over 48 hours in the provincial capital. On March 1, a severe local storm brought hail and over 30 mm in just thirty minutes.
The public's relief is directly linked to the ongoing water crisis affecting the province. In 2025, reservoirs in Las Tunas dropped to 33% capacity, impacting more than 90,000 people with water restrictions. That same year, Cuba experienced its fifth driest year since 1901, with only 83% of the historical average precipitation.
Severe local storms are a frequent occurrence in Las Tunas from May to September. In August 2024, a similar event caused flooding in the city with 79 mm of rain and gusts of 73 km/h, while in May 2025 a storm inflicted severe damage to homes and the electrical system in Puerto Padre. So far, authorities have not reported any material damage or casualties from today's storm.
Understanding Severe Weather in Las Tunas
What caused the severe storm in Las Tunas?
The severe storm in Las Tunas was caused by atmospheric conditions typical of the spring rainy season, which often brings intense rain, strong winds, and lightning.
How frequently do severe storms occur in Las Tunas?
Severe storms are relatively common in Las Tunas, especially between May and September, as part of the region's seasonal weather patterns.
What are the implications of these storms for the local population?
While storms bring much-needed rain, they can also cause flooding, power outages, and exacerbate issues with waste management, posing health and safety risks to residents.