Overview

• Hurricane Rafael is expected to hit western Cuba as a major Category 3 storm, bringing dangerous storm surges, strong winds, and flash floods.
• Thousands of residents in western Cuba have been evacuated, and public services have been suspended in anticipation of the storm's impact.
• The U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory for Cuba, offering departure flights to non-essential staff and American citizens.
• Cuba's electrical grid, already unstable from a recent blackout, faces further risk of collapse due to Rafael's expected impact.
• After crossing Cuba, Rafael is forecasted to enter the Gulf of Mexico, where it is predicted to weaken but still pose a threat to the region.