The recent impact of Hurricane Helene near Cuba's western coast has inflicted significant damage on the island's aging infrastructure, particularly the iconic Malecón in Havana and its adjacent avenue.
According to a statement from Havana's Provincial Traffic Safety Commission, the combination of strong waves and sea intrusion linked to Helene resulted in structural damages to the Malecón Avenue, creating hazards for vehicular traffic. Consequently, authorities have announced "immediate" repair actions, necessitating a complete closure of the section from 1830 to Calle 15, starting at 6:00 a.m. on September 28 until the repair work is completed.
The recommended alternative routes include Calzada, 3rd, 5th, and Línea streets. Officials have apologized for any inconvenience these measures may cause and urge road users to adhere to the established guidelines and follow the directions of traffic authorities to prevent accidents.
Impact Across Other Provinces
While Pinar del Río and Mayabeque were the most affected provinces, the most striking images emerged from Batabanó in Mayabeque, where water levels rose by over a meter, flooding homes. In Batabanó's Surgidero area, severe waves led to significant damage as the sea encroached upon urban spaces, disrupting local infrastructure.
In Pinar del Río, heavy rainfall and coastal flooding in areas like Boca de Galafre, located in the municipality of San Juan y Martínez, caused rivers to overflow, impacting several municipalities within the province.