Hurricane Rafael strengthens to Category 3 as Cuba prepares for impact
Hurricane Rafael is expected to strengthen to a Category 3 storm before making landfall in western Cuba on Wednesday. Thousands have been evacuated, and classes and public transport have been suspended in preparation for the storm's arrival. Currently a Category 2 hurricane, Rafael has maximum sustained winds of 110 mph and is moving northwest. It is forecast to weaken after hitting Cuba but may emerge in the Gulf of Mexico as a hurricane. The storm has already caused power outages and flooding in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Heavy rains and potential flooding are expected in Cuba and parts of Florida later this week.