Hurricane Rafael weakens to Category 2 as it moves through Gulf of Mexico

independent.co.uk

Hurricane Rafael weakened to a Category 2 storm after impacting Cuba, where it knocked out the power grid. The storm, with winds of 105 mph, is moving northwest in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to turn westward. Cuba may receive up to 12 inches of rain from Rafael, raising concerns about mudslides and flash flooding. While watches and warnings have ended, ocean swells could create dangerous surf conditions along the Gulf Coast. Forecasters predict Rafael will weaken further and likely not make landfall in the U.S. Dry air and wind shear are expected to diminish the storm's intensity as it moves through the Gulf.


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