'Rafael is expected to continue to move away from western Cuba over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico,' the National Hurricane Center predicts.
Hurricane Rafael appears to have veered to the west after making landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 storm, marking the fifth major hurricane of the year.The hurricane had wind speeds of 115 mph when it slammed into the western tip of Cuba, causing the island nation's power grid to crash.Rafael has weakened to a Category 2 hurricane since it emerged back over the ocean, with wind speeds of 105 mph, and is heading west across the Gulf of Mexico in the direction of the Texas-Mexico border.
However, the forecast is very uncertain as to exactly when and where the storm will make landfall on the other side of the Gulf of Mexico, with only a 5 to 20 percent certainty of seeing tropical storm-strength winds along much of the coast.As Rafael approached Cuba, the Florida Keys braced for powerful winds, heavy rainfall, and up to 2 feet of storm surge, while Cuba anticipated as much as 12 inches of rainfall in some areas.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hurricane Rafael tracker: See map, forecast and statusMarlene Lenthang is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.
Read more »
Hurricane Rafael Path Update, Tracker as Storm Set for Rare LandfallThe National Hurricane Center has said 'environmental conditions are very favorable for continued intensification.'
Read more »
Hurricane Milton tracker: See map, forecast and statusTODAY’s Al Roker shares the latest on Hurricane Milton, tracking different storm surge scenarios based on the potential paths the powerful storm will take and says tornadoes are also likely to develop in several impacted areas.
Read more »
Hurricane Milton: Map Shows Areas Where Devastating Storm Will HitResidents are scrambling as the massive storm barrels its way towards the Florida Peninsula.
Read more »
Hurricane Milton: Florida Map Reveals Hazardous Facilities in Storm's PathThose near 'major polluters in Milton's trajectory might face the true disaster in the aftermath of the storm,' a researcher said.
Read more »
Map Shows Where Trump's Mar-a-Lago Is Compared to Hurricane Milton PathMar-a-Lago has withstood hurricanes before, like Frances and Jeanne.
Read more »