Hurricane Rafael becomes a Category 2 storm as it barrels toward Cuba
Last edited Wed Nov 6, 2024, 08:40 AM - Edit history (2)
Source: AP
Updated 8:13 AM EST, November 6, 2024
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Rafael strengthened into a Category 2 storm on Wednesday just hours before it was forecast to make landfall on Wednesday in western Cuba.
It was another stroke of bad news for Cuba, which has been struggling with blackouts while recovering from another hurricane two weeks ago that killed at least six people in the eastern part of the island.
The storm was located about 90 miles (140 kilometers) east-southeast of the Isle of Youth, and around 160 miles (260 kilometers) south-southeast of Havana. It had maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (160 kph) and was moving northwest at 14 mph (22 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Forecasters warned that Rafael was expected to slam into Cuba on Wednesday after dumping rain on Jamaica and the Cayman Islands on Tuesday. The center warned of floods, storm surges and mudslides.
The U.S. State Department issued an advisory for Cuba on Tuesday afternoon, offering departure flights to non-essential staff and American citizens, and advising others to “reconsider travel to Cuba due to the potential impact of Tropical Storm Rafael.”
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/rafael-tropical-storm-hurricane-cuba-f96033ae40b18d745f95d9dd17868457
ETA - latest track at update time -
Article updated.
Original article /headline -
Updated 6:00 AM EST, November 6, 2024
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Hurricane Rafael swirled past the Cayman Islands and was expected to rapidly intensify before making landfall on Wednesday in western Cuba, where it's forecast to hit as a Category 2 hurricane.
It was another stroke of bad news for Cuba, which has been struggling with blackouts while recovering from another hurricane two weeks ago that killed at least six people in the eastern part of the island.
The storm was located about 120 miles (190 kilometers) southeast of the Isle of Youth, and around 195 miles (310 kilometers) south-southeast of Havana. It had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 kph) and was moving northwest at 14 mph (22 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Forecasters warned that Rafael was expected to slam into Cuba on Wednesday after dumping rain on Jamaica and the Cayman Islands on Tuesday. The center warned of floods, storm surges and mudslides. The U.S. State Department issued an advisory for Cuba on Tuesday afternoon, offering departure flights to non-essential staff and American citizens, and advising others to "reconsider travel to Cuba due to the potential impact of Tropical Storm Rafael."
- track issued for 4am run -
