Hurricane Rafael causes power outage in Cuba and shifts path toward Mexico's Gulf Coast

Hurricane Rafael struck Cuba as a Category 3 storm, causing a nationwide power outage that lasted about 24 hours. The storm has since moved into the Gulf of Mexico, with its path shifting away from the U.S. and toward Mexico's Gulf Coast. Cleanup efforts are underway in Cuba, where technicians are working to restore power. The storm is expected to weaken over the weekend, likely returning to tropical storm status before making landfall early next week. Initially forecasted to threaten the U.S. Gulf Coast, Rafael's track has changed, reducing the risk for the U.S. and increasing it for Mexico. Oil companies in the Gulf are evacuating personnel and shutting down production in response to the storm.