Hurricane Rafael strikes Cuba, causing widespread blackouts and damage

aljazeera.com

Hurricane Rafael made landfall in Cuba on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm, bringing winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and causing significant damage in Artemisa, Mayabeque, and Havana. The storm has since weakened to a Category 2 as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico. Cuba is experiencing widespread blackouts due to the hurricane, compounding issues from a previous power plant failure in October. The government has promised aid and recovery efforts, with President Miguel Diaz-Canel planning to assess the damage in affected areas. Rafael is the fifth major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which has seen increased storm activity. The season runs from June to November, and Rafael follows closely after Hurricane Milton, which reached Category 5 status.


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