Hurricane Rafael Strengthens to Category 3 Storm as It Approaches Cuba with Life-Threatening Conditions

Hurricane Rafael intensified into a Category 3 storm on Wednesday, poised to hit western Cuba with severe storm surges, winds, and flash floods. The hurricane had already caused power outages and heavy rain in the Cayman Islands and Jamaica. It was expected to impact the Isle of Youth soon and make landfall later that day.

Authorities in Cuba suspended classes and public transport in anticipation of the storm. In Havana, workers secured buildings and cleared debris along the coast to prepare for potential flooding. Flights were cancelled in areas like Havana and Varadero, and thousands were evacuated from western parts of the island as a precautionary measure.

Preparations and Warnings

The National Hurricane Center in Miami urged swift completion of preparations to safeguard lives and property. The storm was located about 40 miles east-southeast of the Isle of Youth and 85 miles south-southeast of Havana, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. It was moving northwest at 14 mph.

Forecasters anticipated that Rafael would weaken over Cuba but regain strength as it moved into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, Cubans were already dealing with power outages from a previous hurricane that claimed six lives in the island's eastern region two weeks earlier.

Impact on Jamaica and Cayman Islands

In Jamaica, the storm caused power outages, flooding, and landslides. The Jamaica Public Service reported that blocked roads hindered efforts to restore electricity in some areas. Similarly, the Cayman Islands experienced power cuts after being directly hit by the storm late Tuesday, leading to school closures on Wednesday.

The US State Department issued a travel advisory for Cuba on Tuesday afternoon. It offered departure flights for non-essential staff and American citizens while advising others to reconsider travel due to Tropical Storm Rafael's potential impact.

Local Reactions

On Tuesday morning, Cuban Civil Defense urged residents to prepare quickly for the storm's arrival. Silvia Perez, a 72-year-old retiree in Havana, joined neighbours in moving appliances from ground-floor homes due to flood concerns. "This is a night I don't want to sleep through," she said, expressing fear for her loved ones amidst strong winds.

A hurricane warning was issued for parts of the Cayman Islands and several Cuban provinces including Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, and the Isle of Youth. A tropical storm warning covered other Cuban provinces like Villa Clara and Cienfuegos, as well as parts of Florida Keys.

Heavy rainfall was predicted to extend north into Florida and nearby southeastern US areas later in the week. The Hurricane Center forecasted storm surges in Florida could reach up to 3 feet in Dry Tortugas and up to 2 feet in Lower Florida Keys. Tornadoes were also expected over the Keys and southwestern Florida on Wednesday.

Rafael marked the 17th named storm this season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projected an above-average hurricane season for 2024 with 17-25 named storms anticipated. The forecast included up to 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes compared to an average season's 14 named storms.