Disaster in Havana
Thursday, 27. October 2005, 01:34:54
Hurricane Wilma destroyed the coastal area of the city of Havana. I live less than three hundred meters from the coast, and the flooded waters reached as far as four hundred meters. This was the worst flood that can be remembered, not just for the height of the waters, but also in terms of the enormous length of the seashore that was affected.
I visited yesterday the shore area, which is crossed by the Malecón Avenue, and I had the sensation that it was a bombed area in a zone of war. Gigantic gaps in the street were common. I directly saw a cavity which was 20 meters long and 12 meters across. It was irregularly deep, but the interesting part is that, being placed in the middle of the street, it had communication with the sea under the sidewalk.
I just created an album of photographs taken from the flooded street and from my house, which is safe in a second floor, thankfully. You will see in the album a heavily flooded street, and even boats navigating. I promise to publish some more photographs from other parts of the city, as soon as I can.
Many people lost all their belongings. Never the water reached that far. As these people didn’t take the necessary measures, also many businesses did wrong too. Several stores, gas stations and hotels were severely damaged, and looting was as common as swimming. Great efforts were made to help out those who were affected the most. Free food, water and soft drinks were being distributed among residents of flooded areas, which were still without electrical power and fresh water. I am still affected in some ways. I already have electrical power since yesterday late in the night, but the water in my cistern was contaminated, thus we’re emptying it to clean it until is able to be used again.
I visited yesterday the shore area, which is crossed by the Malecón Avenue, and I had the sensation that it was a bombed area in a zone of war. Gigantic gaps in the street were common. I directly saw a cavity which was 20 meters long and 12 meters across. It was irregularly deep, but the interesting part is that, being placed in the middle of the street, it had communication with the sea under the sidewalk.
I just created an album of photographs taken from the flooded street and from my house, which is safe in a second floor, thankfully. You will see in the album a heavily flooded street, and even boats navigating. I promise to publish some more photographs from other parts of the city, as soon as I can.
Many people lost all their belongings. Never the water reached that far. As these people didn’t take the necessary measures, also many businesses did wrong too. Several stores, gas stations and hotels were severely damaged, and looting was as common as swimming. Great efforts were made to help out those who were affected the most. Free food, water and soft drinks were being distributed among residents of flooded areas, which were still without electrical power and fresh water. I am still affected in some ways. I already have electrical power since yesterday late in the night, but the water in my cistern was contaminated, thus we’re emptying it to clean it until is able to be used again.
WIDGETIZE