Canada issues major travel advisories due to a new hurricane

Travellers heading to tropical destinations, particularly the Bahamas or Cuba this weekend, are advised to monitor Hurricane Oscar closely as they may face delays, cancellations and other disruptions due to the storm.

Hurricane Oscar made landfall early Sunday in the southeastern Bahamas, with wind speeds reaching 80 km/h. At its peak intensity, the storm’s center was located approximately 240 km south of Great Inagua Island.

According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, the storm formed Saturday (Oct. 19) off the coast of the Bahamas, moving south of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The storm is now moving toward Cuba, where recent disruptions from a major power outage have already caused significant issues.

Those with flights or plans in the affected areas should be prepared for potential changes to their travel itineraries as the situation develops.

As of now, there are no reports of flight cancellations to the Bahamas or Cuba from Pearson Airport in Mississauga.

Risk: Severe weather and disruptions to essential services.

Reason: The impact of Hurricane Oscar has caused heavy rain, winds, flooding and landslides in the region. This has disrupted transportation, power, water and telecommunications networks.

The situation is exacerbated by the ongoing hurricane season, which runs from mid-May to the end of November, making the risk of rapid storm intensification higher.

What to do: It is advised to stay informed through local news, monitor weather reports and follow any instructions from local authorities.

Canadians needing assistance can contact consular services in Nassau or Kingston for support.