Ivan the Terrible and Other Disasters

It seems fitting that a country in which blacks and whites fought side by side for identity and independence would also set the standard by which emergency response should be measured. In September 2004, a category-5 storm known as Ivan The Terrible passed through Cuba, unleashing 160-mph winds and destroying property like a special effect in a Roland Emmerich movie. The government knew Ivan was coming and had time to prepare, evacuating 1.5 million people (out of a total population of 11.5 million) and securing as much property and farm goods as possible. There were no deaths in Cuba as a result of Ivan the Terrible.

In early July of this year, Hurricane Dennis spread its 105-mph winds to mark the strongest hurricane to hit Cuba this early in the season in over 150 years. At least 10 people died, and, again, 1.5 million Cubans were evacuated.

Hurricanes are a staple of the Cuban experience… I remember the serious looks in the adults’ faces during a hurricane in the late 1960s (my one hurricane memory from childhood). Our home in Havana was new enough and strong enough to survive, and we were happy when it was over. But during the hurricane’s visit there was a frightening feeling that anything could happen. In recent years, hurricanes Isodore and Lili have also left scars on the island.

Last year Cuba also had to deal with the worst drought in the island’s history. Not only did it damage over 40% of the farmlands in Eastern Cuba, but nearly 4 million Cubans had to count each drop of water they consumed.

Of course, the worst disaster Cubans have had to deal with is a man-made embargo that has lasted over forty years now and grown into a category 5 blockade.

Peace.