On Friday, Radio Varadero shared a collection of nighttime photos revealing the extensive damage inflicted by a severe local storm that struck the Cuban resort town on Thursday, July 9. The storm left a trail of devastation affecting homes, electrical infrastructure, and public roads.
The images, posted by Radio Varadero on Facebook, depict scenes cautiously described by the regime’s official narrative: a collapsed exterior metal staircase on a residential building, a broken and leaning concrete pole with tangled wires, damaged equipment next to a metal fence, and residents using hoses to clean the streets in front of the "Alondra" locale on 1st and 26th streets.
Residents referred to the storm as a tornado, which reportedly began as a waterspout that made landfall and intensified in mere seconds.
IsabelVlogs, a local user, was among the first to document the event, describing a "large funnel with red lightning and strong winds that, although brief, caused significant damage."
The destruction included roofs torn from several homes, downed streetlights, fallen transformers, cables strewn across the ground, and water tank lids lifted by the forceful winds.
One of the main roads, First Avenue in Varadero, became impassable due to fallen trees and branches.
A security camera captured the exact moment the tornado swept through the area, and the footage, shared by journalist Christian Arboláez from Cárdenas, garnered over 43,000 views on Facebook within hours.
Arboláez highlighted in his post that "residents agree it all happened in just seconds, yet it was enough to cause substantial material damage in the area."
Radio Varadero, a local state media outlet, reported under the headline "Immediate Recovery after Severe Local Storm in Varadero," emphasizing that "local authorities, specialized forces, and community members promptly began recovery efforts" to "restore essential services, clear roads, and ensure residents' safety."
Meanwhile, Gaviota Tourism Group, part of the military-run conglomerate Gaesa, stated that its hotel properties were unaffected, which contrasts with the scenes of destruction in residential areas.
The tornado that took Varadero by surprise occurred during Cuba's highest risk period; 82% of the island's tornadoes happen between May and July. Matanzas province, where Varadero is located, records the highest number of tornadoes in western Cuba, with 64 events documented between 1991 and 2020, according to scientific studies.
The region has experienced similar phenomena in recent years. In November 2023, a waterspout was spotted in Varadero, and in June 2025, another waterspout was observed near the Hicacos Peninsula, which lasted about ten minutes without making landfall or causing damage.
As of Saturday, Cuban authorities had not released any official statement about the tornado or the full extent of the damages, and no fatalities or serious injuries had been reported.
Key Insights into Varadero's Recent Tornado
What caused the significant damage in Varadero?
A severe local storm, described by residents as a tornado, caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and public roads in Varadero.
How did residents describe the storm?
Residents reported seeing a large funnel with red lightning and strong winds, which caused significant damage in a short period.
What actions are being taken for recovery?
Local authorities, specialized forces, and community members have initiated recovery efforts to restore essential services, clear roads, and ensure the safety of residents.