Tiny but mighty, Hurricane Oscar is making waves off the Bahamas with winds of up to 85 mph, prompting a flurry of hurricane warnings as it readies to unleash its fury on eastern Cuba this weekend.

As Hurricane Oscar barrels toward eastern Cuba, where residents are already reeling from a widespread blackout, the storm's potent winds and heavy rain could add insult to injury. While the government issues hurricane warnings and prepares for Oscar's dramatic arrival this Sunday, locals are left wondering if they'll have to brave the storm with nothing but candles and a prayer for power.

Hurricane Oscar formed off the coast of the Bahamas on October 19, 2024, and is being described by meteorologists as a 'tiny hurricane,' which is the meteorological equivalent of being called a 'miniature giant.' Despite its pint-sized status, Oscar’s sustained winds clocking in at 80 to 85 miles per hour remind us that sometimes small packages can pack quite a punch. Those who thought the only trouble a smaller hurricane could bring was some moderate inconvenience are likely reevaluating their definitions of 'tiny.'

As of the latest reports, Oscar hung out about 165 miles east-southeast of the Bahamas and approximately 470 miles east of Camaguey city in Cuba. Interestingly, while Oscar may not be overflowing with size, its travel plans are certainly assertive, prompting the Cuban government to issue a Hurricane Watch for the provinces of Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas.

Along with Cuba's watchful eye, hurricane warnings have also been released for the Turks and Caicos, the southeastern Bahamas, and Cuba’s northern coast—essentially summoning everyone to the turbulence party. Locally heavy rainfall is expected across the Turks and Caicos as the storm makes its appearance, proving once again that Mother Nature has little respect for holiday plans.

While Oscar was graciously brushing past the Turks and Caicos islands to the south during the night, there were more pressing matters at hand in Cuba. Residents there were already grappling with a major blackout, making their homes feel more like caves than cozy havens, even before the impending arrival of winds. It seems ironic that just as the government is preparing for a storm, the people are figuratively left in the dark—quite literally. One can only hope that their stock of candles is as plentiful as the storm clouds gathering overhead.

Expected to reach eastern Cuba by Sunday night, Oscar has been trying to time its entrance perfectly, akin to a dancer counting down the beats before making the grand leap. Meanwhile, locals are also glancing nervously at Tropical Storm Nadine, which formed just before Oscar and has been unleashing heavy rains across parts of Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula. Perhaps Nadine should consider fewer tropical storms and more tropical vacations—less competition for Oscar’s limelight might suit her better.

In the midst of this weather drama, it's key to remember that hurricanes have a way of stirring up plenty of weather-related tension, providing ample fodder for local meteorologists equipped with an enthusiasm for ominous forecasts. Locals can only hope that when they wake up post-Oscar, there's power, calm weather, and maybe even a gathering of neighbors for a spirited candlelit discussion on the merits of hurricane preparedness. Because if there's anything good about pre-hurricane power failures, it's that they often lead to a healthy communal spirit—unless, of course, you run out of battery on your mobile devices, in which case all bets are off.

As Hurricane Oscar forms off the coast of the Bahamas, it leaves us with a useful reminder: hurricane season is not just about wind and rain, but also about the preparedness spirit of communities. Mother Nature’s unpredictable quirks can be both amusing and terrifying; all we can do is watch the forecast with curiosity.