Hurricane Rafael Causes Widespread Power Outage Across Cuba

The Category 3 storm made landfall with 115 mph winds, exacerbating Cuba's ongoing energy crisis.

Hurricane Rafael struck Cuba's Artemisa province, causing a nationwide blackout affecting 10 million residents.
The storm brought life-threatening conditions, including storm surges, damaging winds, and flash flooding warnings from the National Hurricane Center.
Cuban authorities evacuated thousands and suspended public services in anticipation of Rafael's impact.
Cuba's energy grid was already fragile due to recent blackouts, partly caused by Hurricane Oscar and fuel shortages.
Rafael is expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico, with potential impacts on southern Texas and eastern Mexico.