The approach of Hurricane Helene near the province of Pinar del Río led to a power line failure on Wednesday, disrupting the Guanito transmitter and leaving much of the area without radio and television signals.
Journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso reported on Facebook that the outage impacted the transmitter plant, and the malfunctioning of the backup generator worsened the situation, preventing the restoration of service.
Efforts are currently underway by several entities to get the backup generator operational and restore the signal while the damaged electrical infrastructure is repaired.
Impact of Hurricane Helene in Pinar del Río
The proximity of Hurricane Helene to Pinar del Río has brought heavy rains, strong winds, and flooding. According to the Institute of Meteorology (INSMET), in its latest Tropical Cyclone Advisory, conditions could deteriorate further in the coming hours.
The intense rainfall has caused minor flooding in some areas, particularly along the southern coast. In Cabo de San Antonio, the westernmost point of the country, waves reaching three to five meters have been recorded.
Power Outages Across Multiple Municipalities
Pinar del Río's Electric Company has announced that repairs for outages caused by Hurricane Helene will not be addressed until the storm has passed. Since early morning, the municipalities of San Juan y Martínez, Guane, Mantua, Sandino, and Minas de Matahambre have been without power.
The company emphasized that during hydrometeorological events, if circuits fail, they will not be reconnected until the phenomenon has fully passed, following established protocols.