Storm Rafael Heads Toward Cuba: What You Need to Know

Hurricane Rafael is on a path to hit western Cuba, and it's not coming lightly. This storm is expected to get much stronger before making landfall on Wednesday. Cuba is already dealing with power outages and recovering from a hurricane that hit two weeks ago. The storm is currently located near the Cayman Islands, with winds reaching 85 mph. It's moving towards Cuba at a steady pace. Forecasters are warning of heavy rain, floods, and mudslides in Cuba and the Cayman Islands. The U. S. State Department has advised Americans in Cuba to consider leaving. Cuba's Civil Defense has asked people to prepare quickly. They've also issued evacuation orders for some areas in the east. A hurricane warning is in effect for parts of Cuba and the Cayman Islands. The storm is also expected to bring rain to Florida later in the week. Rafael is the 17th named storm of this hurricane season. Experts predicted an above-average season, with up to 25 named storms. That's more than the usual 14.