Hurricane Matthew Causes Destruction on its Way through Cuba

Guantanamo, Cuba, Oct 5 (Prensa Latina) Deputy Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces Ramon Espinosa said here that the hurricane Matthew left plenty of damages on its way through the eastern end of Cuba, although no casualties are reported so far.

Espinosa told the national media that the municipalities of Baracoa, Imias, Maisi and San Antonio del Sur, in the eastern province of Guantanamo, remain isolated due to the strong winds and heavy rain of the hurricane.

The hurricane, which hit Cuban territory yesterday with category four on the Saffir-Simpson scale, threw large stones on the roads, which precludes the movement by land to the affected areas.

Espinosa said that in the city of Baracoa, with which the authorities have kept communications, much destruction is reported but no casualties so far.

'In contrast, the situation in Imias, Maisi and San Antonio del Sur is more complicated because the real situation of the territories is unknown', said Espinosa.

'There is no communication with Maisi, there might be much destruction because the hurricane was affecting that territory for several hours', he said.

Images posted on social networks and various media show partial and total collapses, coastal flooding and other damage caused by the hurricane.

After hitting eastern Cuba, the hurricane Matthew moves 19 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour toward the Bahamas and the United States.