HAVANA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Cuba on Tuesday began recovery efforts following the passage of tropical storm Laura, which caused damage to homes and crops, and electrical and telephone networks, the National Civil Defense agency said.
Average Cubans joined in the task, clearing debris and cleaning neighborhoods, as brigades of technicians worked to restore electricity and fixed telephone service after the storm knocked down trees and electrical poles.
Laura moved on from Cuba on Monday night near Puerto Esperanza in the northern town of Vinales in western Pinar del Rio province, where some areas still saw heavy rain early Tuesday.
As Laura passed over the southern coast of Cuba, the storm lashed the region with heavy rain and maximum sustained winds of 100 km per hour.
Preliminary reports said more than 1,000 homes sustained damage, mainly to their roofs.
According to meteorological reports, the storm was entering the Gulf of Mexico as it headed northwest at a speed of 28 km per hour.
Laura is expected to gain hurricane force before hitting the United States Wednesday night or early Thursday. Enditem
