Hurricane Rafael: Hurricane Rafael makes landfall in Cuba as a ‘life-threatening’ category 3 storm

Hurricane Rafael, a Category 3 storm, hit Cuba causing major damage and power outages. The storm had already impacted the Cayman Islands and Jamaica with strong winds and heavy rain. The Cuban government issued warnings and urged citizens to prepare, leading to evacuations and cancellations of transportation. Forecasters warned of life-threatening storm surges, winds, and floods. Residents are advised to exercise caution. Rafael weakened to a Category 2 as it moved across Cuba and is expected to weaken further in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm is the 17th named storm of the 2024 season and is expected to bring heavy rainfall to Florida and the southeastern United States.