Economy, Trade and Finance: Hurricane Ida ravages Cuba

The National Health Commission warned that life-threatening storms, heavy rains, flash floods and landslides are expected in western Cuba, as well as in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Ida is expected to move across the Gulf of Mexico Saturday night (local time), regain strength there and reach the US coast on Sunday as a dangerously strong hurricane. In the US state of Louisiana, Governor John Bel Edwards has already declared a state of emergency.

A tropical cyclone is considered a cyclone of 119 kilometers per hour, with the highest levels of the five reaching at least 252 kilometers per hour. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November. It was especially severe last year. According to the NHC, hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin has been well above average this year as well. According to experts, the increasing intensity of tropical cyclones, which need warm water to form, is a consequence of climate change.

Ida is the fourth Atlantic hurricane this season. Another Pacific hurricane is also expected this weekend – Storm Nora moved toward Mexico’s west coast on Friday.