Hurricane Rafael Strengthens to Category 2, Heads Toward Cuba with 110 MPH Winds

Hurricane Rafael

Hurricane Rafael has rapidly intensified into a powerful Category 2 storm, with sustained winds of 110 mph as it approaches Cuba. As of Wednesday morning, the storm was located about 60 miles east-southeast of the Isle of Youth and 130 miles south-southeast of Havana, moving northwest at 14 mph. Forecasters predict it will make landfall in Cuba later in the evening. The storm's winds have increased by 50 mph in the past 24 hours, and there is potential for it to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane before reaching land.

Cuban authorities have issued a range of warnings for regions at risk, including a hurricane warning for provinces such as Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, and the Isle of Youth, as well as the Cayman Islands. A tropical storm warning is in effect for parts of Cuba and the Florida Keys, including Key West and the Dry Tortugas. The storm is expected to bring life-threatening storm surges, hurricane-force winds, and flash flooding, particularly across western Cuba, with some areas receiving up to 10 inches of rain.

Heavy rainfall from Rafael has already begun to impact Cuba and other nearby regions. The storm passed over Jamaica and the Cayman Islands earlier in the week, dumping significant rainfall in both areas. As Rafael approaches Cuba, authorities are urging residents to complete their final storm preparations, with officials in Cuba ordering the evacuation of 37,000 people in the eastern province of Guantanamo. The Cuban Civil Defense has emphasized the importance of staying in place as the storm hits.

Although Hurricane Rafael is expected to weaken after crossing Cuba, it could reemerge into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico as a hurricane. Its path remains uncertain, with earlier forecast models suggesting a threat to Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. However, the storm's trajectory has shifted slightly westward, raising concerns it could impact areas from Louisiana to northeastern Mexico. Forecasters are closely monitoring the storm’s movement as it could pose a significant risk to these regions in the coming days.

Residents in affected areas are urged to stay informed through official channels and take necessary precautions. While Rafael’s exact impact on the Gulf Coast remains unclear, the storm's intensity and potential for further strengthening underscore the need for preparedness in the coming hours and days.

Hurricane Rafael Strengthens to Category 2, Heads Toward Cuba with 110 MPH Winds