Category 3 storm hits Cuba

Hurricane Rafael made landfall on Cuba's west coast on Wednesday as a powerful Category 3 storm, causing a power outage on the island due to heavy rain and the possibility of a life-threatening storm surge, forecasters said.

Where is Hurricane Rafael and what path is it taking?

According to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, Rafael made landfall in Cuba's Artemisa province, east of Playa Majana, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph.

As of 4:15 p.m. ET, the storm was located about 40 miles southwest of Havana, Cuba, and was expected to move into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday evening.

“A general northwestward movement is expected over the next day or so, followed by a gradual west-northwestward turn in the Gulf of Mexico,” the NHC said in its update. “Further reinforcements are likely before Rafael reaches land.”

Clocks and Alerts

Starting Wednesday, 4 p.m. ET, a Hurricane warning applies to:

• Cuban provinces Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas and the Island of Youth

A “hurricane warning” means that hurricane conditions are expected in the area. Precautions and preparations for people and property should be completed.

A Tropical Storm Warning applies to:

• Cuban provinces of Villa Clara and Cienfuegos

• Lower and middle Florida Keys from Key West to west of the Channel Five Bridge

• Dry Tortugas

A “Tropical Storm Warning” means that areas are expected to experience tropical storm conditions within the next 36 hours.

What impact is Rafael likely to have?

Rafael is likely to cause severe flooding and flash flooding in some areas of the western Caribbean.

“Precipitation totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected in parts of western Cuba, with isolated higher amounts of up to 12 inches expected in higher elevations,” the NHC said.

The storm surge associated with Rafael could raise water levels on Cuba's southern coast by as much as 9 to 14 feet above normal tidal levels.

And a few tornadoes are possible over the Florida Keys and the far southwestern mainland of Florida, the hurricane center said.