Hurricane Rafael has rapidly intensified into a major hurricane as it closes in on western Cuba, prompting warnings for life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flash flooding. Rafael is now a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. The storm is located approximately 40 miles northeast of the Isle of Youth and 85 miles south of Havana, Cuba. It is moving northwestward at 14 mph. Hurricane conditions are expected in western Cuba and the Isle of Youth through this evening. A hurricane warning is in effect for these areas, with the potential for: Life-threatening st…
