Hurricane Rafael made landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 storm and has since weakened to a Category 2 while moving through the Gulf of Mexico. The hurricane caused significant damage in Cuba, including a nationwide power outage and vulnerabilities due to older infrastructure. As Rafael moves westward, it is expected to continue weakening due to atmospheric conditions, and forecasters predict it will not directly impact the U.S. Gulf Coast. However, the storm poses a threat of heavy rainfall and strong winds to parts of western Cuba and the Gulf waters. The National Hurricane Center warns of potential flash flooding and mudslides in Cuba due to continued rainfall, and communities along the Gulf are monitoring Rafael's progress, although the likelihood of it reaching Louisiana or Mississippi remains low.