Hurricane Rafael intensifies as it approaches Cuba, expected to make landfall as Category 2 storm

Hurricane Rafael is intensifying as it approaches western Cuba, expected to make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane. The storm is currently located southeast of the Isle of Youth, with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph. Cuba is facing challenges, having recently dealt with another hurricane that caused fatalities and ongoing blackouts. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for 37,000 people in eastern Cuba and are urging residents to prepare for Rafael's impact. The U.S. State Department has advised American citizens to reconsider travel to Cuba. Flooding, storm surges, and mudslides are anticipated in Cuba and the Cayman Islands, with heavy rains expected to spread into Florida later in the week.