MIAMI, United States. – The Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) of Cuba warned this Wednesday about the occurrence of strong storm surges and coastal flooding in the western region of the country during the next 12 to 24 hours, due to the approach of Hurricane Milton.
According to reports from that scientific institution, the storm surges have already begun to affect the south of Pinar del Río, the Isla de la Juventud and the Canarreos archipelago, with coastal flooding ranging from light to moderate on the southern coast from Pinar. from the River to Mayabeque. Likewise, the northern western coast, including the Malecón de Havanais already experiencing moderate flooding.
The head of the INSMET Forecasting Center, Miriam Teresita Llanes, explained to the official press that “the wave trains generated by the hurricane will cause flooding in the low areas of the coast, especially in the west.” Floods have already been reported in areas such as Surgidero de Batabanó, which are expected to persist throughout the day.
Hurricane Milton, classified as the fifth most intense cyclone in the North Atlantic basin, will also cause south to southwest winds of up to 50 kilometers per hour in several western provinces, with higher gusts, while the instability generated by its wide circulation will bring rains and showers that could be strong in some locations.
The hurricane, which was 305 kilometers southwest of Tampa, United States, at 11:00 a.m. this Wednesday, is heading for the western coast of Florida, where it should enter around 2:00 p.m. early Thursday morning.
According to the most recent report from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the United States, Milton currently has sustained winds of 230 km/h and is moving northeast at 28 km/h.
