Key Takeaways:
– Hurricane Rafael intensified into a Category 2 storm, passing the Cayman Islands and expected to reach western Cuba.
– Warning from the U.S. State Department to citizens in Cuba about the approaching storm.
– Potential impact includes floods, storm surges, and mudslides in various regions.
– Hurricane forecast for 2024 predicts an above-average hurricane season.
Impending Storm Heads Towards Cuba
On early Wednesday morning, Hurricane Rafael escalated to a Category 2 storm, sending tremors of anticipation through the Cayman Islands and onto western Cuba. The escalating storm serves as detrimental news for Cuba, a nation already grasping at recovery from a recent hurricane that tragically claimed six lives.
Projected Path of Hurricane Rafael
As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, Rafael was approximately 90 miles east-southeast from the Isle of Youth and roughly 160 miles south-southeast from Havana. The hurricane boasted a formidable strength of 100 mph, categorizing it as a Category 2 storm and moving northwest at a speed of 14 mph. This data is according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, which foresees the hurricane making landfall on western Cuba later in the day.
Warnings and Actions Taken
The National Hurricane Center issued forecasts of potential floods, storm surges, and mudslides, with Rafael expected to hit Cuba after having already inflicted rain on Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. On Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. State Department advised American citizens and non-essential staff in Cuba to depart, while others were advised to reconsider their travel plans. The Cuban Civil Defense spurred its citizens into preparation, emphasizing the importance of staying put once the storm makes its landfall.
Evacuation and Cancellation of Warnings
An evacuation directive was issued for 37,000 people residing in far eastern Cuba, particularly in the province of Guantanamo, on account of the harsh weather conditions. By Wednesday, a hurricane warning in effect for the Cayman Islands was suspended for the largest of the islands. Still, it remained in place for Little Cayman, Cayman Brac, and several Cuban provinces, including Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, and the Isle of Youth.
Aftermath of Rafael’s Passage
Rafael left a trail of darkness in its wake in Jamaica, having caused power outages, along with ensuing floods and landslides. The country’s electricity provider, the Jamaica Public Service, reported that some areas were still without power due to inaccessible roads. Power cuts were also reported across the Cayman Islands, with schools remaining closed on Wednesday for safety.
Projected Impact on Florida and More
Despite improvements on Grand Cayman, residents are advised to be cautious due to persistent threats of rough seas and residual flooding. There’s a prediction of heavy rains leading to potential flooding and mudslides in parts of Cuba and the Cayman Islands. Furthermore, the impact isn’t confined to these regions — Florida and adjacent southeast U.S. areas are forecasted to receive heavy rainfall towards the latter part of the week. Predicted storm surges in Florida could be between 1 to 3 feet in Dry Tortugas and 1 to 2 feet in the Lower Florida Keys, escalating the possibility of a few tornadoes over the Keys and southwestern Florida.
2014 Hurricane Season Forecast
Rafael is the 17th named storm of the season, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has projected that the 2024 hurricane season will likely be well above average. This prediction includes an expected 17 to 25 named storms, with as many as 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes. This outlook surpasses the average Atlantic hurricane season that produces 14 named storms, of which seven escalate into hurricanes and three into major hurricanes.