Hurricane Rafael, classified as a Category 3 storm, made landfall in Cuba, causing severe damage to the electrical infrastructure and prompting evacuations in western regions due to life-threatening storm surges and flash floods. The storm, moving northwest at 22 kilometers per hour with sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour, had already affected the Cayman Islands and Jamaica before hitting Cuba. Authorities suspended classes and public transport in anticipation of the hurricane's impact, while local residents prepared for potential flooding. Forecasters predict that Rafael may weaken before re-emerging in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, where its trajectory remains uncertain, potentially threatening offshore oil production. The National Hurricane Center has highlighted the risk to oil and gas rigs in the Gulf, as the storm's intensity could lead to significant disruptions in production. The situation is evolving, and residents are urged to remain vigilant as the storm progresses.