Western Cuba Faces Nearby Passage of Storm Helene

Havana, Sept 24 (ACN) As storm Helene keeps moving towards the Gulf of Mexico, moving near the western tip of Cuba with heavy rains and gusty winds, authorities and citizens in Pinar del Rio Province and the Isle of Youth, as well as other territories took preventive measures to safeguard human life, property and economic resources.

Authorities and people in the westernmost Cuban territory of Pinar del Rio recalled the learned lessons from previous storms which have hard hit the region, so they took preventive measures like the protection of fishing boats, the distribution of foodstuffs, the protection of warehouses and grocery stores and the evacuation of people from low-lying coastal areas with risk of flooding.

Tobacco fields are a major agricultural assets here, so farmers protected over 35 thousand seedbeds, and the leaves collected were taken to warehouses.

Other actions included the activation of medical brigades to assist any possible emergencies in rural areas.

Similar measures were taken in the Isle of Youth, South of western Cuba, where school were closed, the maritime transportation between keys was also cancelled.

Fishing communities took boats and goods to safe places, while the electric company set up emergency teams to address the situation.

Nine of the 14 local reservoirs are relieving water, what is being monitored by water resources authorities.

Meanwhile, government advises focus on the importance to keep at home and follow official information by the local media about the passage of the natural phenomena and its impact.lc