Hurricane Rafael strengthens to Category 2 as it approaches Cuba
Hurricane Rafael has intensified into a Category 2 storm and is expected to make landfall in western Cuba on Wednesday. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 100 mph and is moving northwest at 14 mph. Cuba is already facing challenges from recent blackouts and recovery efforts after another hurricane. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for 37,000 people in eastern Cuba and warned of potential floods and mudslides. Rafael has also affected Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, causing power outages and flooding. Heavy rains are anticipated to spread into Florida and the southeastern U.S. later this week.