Gustav Devastates Cuba, but Spares Lives
Storm Demolishes Homes, Leaves Thousands Without Power, but None Die
Gustav Storm Surge Floods Countless Villages
Up to 100 miles to the east in Matanzas, winds damaged citrus groves and gusts downed trees and damaged buildings, telephone and electricity lines, testimony to Gustav's breadth.
The city of Havana's streets, 50 miles to the east of Gustav's eye, were littered with foliage and debris, but authorities said damage was minimal.
Winds and rains damaged some crops in Havana province, the capital's bread basket, and flooding from bands of rain was reported in mountains some 150 miles to the east of Pinar del Rio.
The storm surge flooded countless coastal villages along 200 miles of the southern coast.
Damage to recently harvested tobacco in Pinar del Rio, being cured to make famous cigars, was still being quantified.
Officials hailed the protection of life and property even as they counted up the damage and promised a full report as soon as possible.
"The damage will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, but not billions," a local economist said, asking his name not be used. "In our country every little bit hurts, so it is still a blow, though it could have been much worse."
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