Hurricane Rafael Tracker: Latest Updates on Path and Impact
Hurricane Rafael, a powerful storm in the Atlantic, has rapidly intensified, now categorized as a major Category 3 hurricane as it heads towards Cuba. As of Wednesday afternoon, Rafael was located about 85 miles south of Havana, with maximum sustained winds reaching 115 mph. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a forecast that predicts Rafael will continue moving northwest for the next day or two, potentially taking a west-northwest turn into the Gulf of Mexico shortly thereafter.
Rafael made landfall in western Cuba earlier on Wednesday, causing significant disruption across the region. As the storm approaches the U.S., particularly the southern Gulf, the NHC is closely monitoring its path. While the storm will likely weaken as it crosses Cuba, there is concern for both flash floods and mudslides, particularly in areas with higher terrain.
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Heavy rainfall continues to be a primary concern for the storm’s path. In Cuba, rainfall totals of up to 12 inches are possible in some areas, especially in the western and southern regions. The NHC warns that this could result in dangerous flooding, affecting not just Cuba but parts of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands as well. The storm’s path also suggests it will create a storm surge of up to 9 feet in some locations along Cuba’s southern coast, including the Isle of Youth. These dangerous conditions could lead to extensive flooding in low-lying coastal areas.
As Rafael heads towards the Gulf, there are some uncertainties about the exact location of landfall. Although the storm is expected to weaken somewhat as it enters the Gulf, it remains a potent system capable of delivering tropical storm-force winds, heavy rain, and possible tornadoes in the lower and middle Florida Keys. The NHC also forecasts that the Gulf Coast, from Texas to the Florida Panhandle, could experience the effects of the storm by the weekend. Currently, the storm appears to be on track to make landfall somewhere in central Louisiana, with some models predicting a shift westward toward Mexico.
For now, residents in the Florida Keys and western Cuba are being urged to prepare for tropical storm conditions and potential flooding. Authorities have opened emergency shelters, and people in vulnerable areas are advised to stay informed through local weather advisories. As the storm weakens in the coming days, the threat to the U.S. mainland will likely decrease, but the situation remains fluid, and the storm’s progression will continue to be closely watched.
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