Just hours before it is expected to reach land in Cuba, storm Rafael has strengthened into a strong Category 2 storm, according to the US National Weather Service.
With maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph), Hurricane Rafael is situated approximately 205 km (130 miles) southeast of Havana, Cuba, according to a bulletin released on Wednesday by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami.
Rafael is forecast to make landfall in western Cuba with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and attain “major hurricane” intensity, which is categorized as Category 3 or above, the NHC added.
Cuba, which has been dealing with blackouts while recuperating from Hurricane Oscar, which killed at least six people in the eastern section of the island two weeks ago, had yet another setback.
