Hurricane Rafael has rapidly intensified into a Category 3 storm, making landfall in Cuba on November 6, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. The storm prompted the evacuation of 70,000 people and has caused significant damage, including a blackout of the national electrical grid, which had only recently been restored after a previous outage. Cuban authorities are warning of life-threatening storm surges and flash flooding, while preparations continue in Florida, where tropical storm warnings are in effect. As Rafael moves toward the Gulf of Mexico, it is expected to weaken but could still pose risks of heavy rain and tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast. The rare November timing of this hurricane has drawn attention, as historically few storms have impacted the Gulf at this time. Residents in affected areas are urged to prepare for potential hazards as conditions worsen.