On Tuesday, a severe local storm swept through the city of Las Tunas, located in eastern Cuba, dumping 62 millimeters of rain in just over an hour and inundating several streets and bridges, as reported by the Provincial Meteorological Center.
Alexey Moreno Borges, the director of the Provincial Meteorological Center, noted that the storm was accompanied by intense lightning and sustained wind gusts throughout its duration.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Station in the capital of Las Tunas recorded 40 millimeters of rain and a peak wind gust of 80 km/h, highlighting the storm's concentrated impact on the urban areas.
Ongoing Challenges from Flooding
As a result, numerous streets and bridges remain flooded, causing traffic disruptions and hindering urban mobility, according to journalist Ordey Díaz Escalona. Fortunately, authorities have not reported any significant material damage or casualties from the storm as of the latest updates.
Recurring Weather Patterns in Las Tunas
This is the second significant weather event in less than ten days in the province. On April 26, the onset of the spring rainy season brought 108.9 mm of rain in 48 hours to the provincial capital, also resulting in flooding in low-lying areas.
Previously, a severe local storm on March 1 produced hail and over 30 mm of rain in just thirty minutes over the same city.
Severe local storms are common in Las Tunas from May to September, often linked to afternoon instability, high temperatures, and the humidity from the Caribbean Sea.
Historical Weather Events and Infrastructure Issues
In August 2025, the province experienced a record-breaking rainfall of 118.4 mm within 24 hours, surpassing the previous record of 111 mm set in 1998. A month prior, in May 2025, severe storms damaged homes and the electrical grid in Puerto Padre, a municipality within the same province.
The urban drainage infrastructure in Las Tunas is inadequate, exacerbating the impact of intense rainfall events on the community.
This recent storm occurs at the start of Cuba's official rainy season, which began on May 1, during which 80% of the country's annual precipitation falls between May and October.
The province is grappling with a severe structural water crisis; in 2025, reservoirs were at only 33% capacity, affecting over 90,000 people, marking it as Cuba's fifth driest year since 1901.
Notably, the bridge over the El Salado River at kilometer 34 of the Las Tunas-Bayamo highway, declared passable just the day before following repairs with 500 tons of asphalt due to damage from Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, is now under pressure from the new floodwaters.
Frequently Asked Questions about Flooding in Las Tunas
What caused the recent flooding in Las Tunas?
The recent flooding was caused by a severe local storm that brought 62 millimeters of rain in a short period, overwhelming the city's inadequate drainage infrastructure.
Are severe storms common in Las Tunas?
Yes, severe local storms are frequent in Las Tunas between May and September, often due to high temperatures, afternoon instability, and Caribbean Sea humidity.
Has there been any significant damage from the recent storm?
As of the latest reports, there have been no significant material damages or casualties reported from the recent storm in Las Tunas.