Hurricane Rafael strengthens to Category 3 as it approaches Cuba and the Gulf Coast
Hurricane Rafael has rapidly intensified to a Category 3 storm, with winds reaching 115 mph. It is currently less than 85 miles from western Cuba and is expected to make landfall around 3 p.m. Wednesday. The storm is forecast to strengthen further before hitting Cuba, marking the first Category 3 hurricane to impact the country since Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Rafael previously passed through Jamaica and the Cayman Islands without reported casualties. After crossing Cuba, Rafael is expected to enter the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, maintaining hurricane strength. It may threaten U.S. Gulf states, with potential landfall between Texas and the Florida panhandle this weekend or early next week.