Hurricane Rafael intensifies and targets Louisiana coast for landfall this weekend
Tropical Storm Rafael has intensified into a Category 1 hurricane and is expected to make landfall in the southern U.S. this weekend, likely along the Louisiana coast. The storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. Rafael is projected to pass near the Cayman Islands, prompting school and government office closures. A hurricane warning is in effect for several provinces in Cuba, with the U.S. State Department advising against travel there. While Rafael may weaken before reaching the U.S., it could still cause rough seas, beach erosion, and coastal flooding. The storm's path may affect areas from the Florida Panhandle to the Texas coast.