Tropical Storm Rafael Forms in Caribbean: Heavy Rain and Hurricane Warnings Issued

Tropical Storm Rafael brings rain to Jamaica, Cayman Islands; set to impact Cuba as a hurricane.

Tropical Storm Rafael forms in the Caribbean, set to bring heavy rainfall to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Cuba and Florida prepare for potential hurricane impact.

 

San Juan, Puerto Rico – Tropical Storm Rafael formed Monday in the Caribbean, bringing heavy rain to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, the storm is expected to intensify into a hurricane before reaching Cuba and potentially impacting Florida and the U.S. Southeast later this week.

 

Currently located about 150 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica, Rafael’s winds are sustained at 45 mph. Moving north-northwest at 9 mph, the storm is expected to pass near Jamaica late Monday, approach the Cayman Islands by Tuesday, and make landfall in Cuba on Wednesday as a Category 1 hurricane. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Jamaica, with hurricane watches issued for the Cayman Islands and parts of western Cuba.

 

Authorities in the Cayman Islands and Jamaica are urging residents to prepare for possible flooding and wind damage, with schools closed and sandbags distributed in low-lying areas. Cuban authorities are also on high alert, with 37,000 people already evacuated in Guantanamo due to previous weather conditions.

 

Forecasters are monitoring Rafael for possible strengthening as it moves across warm waters. If conditions remain favorable, the storm could intensify quickly, posing a risk to the western Caribbean and southeastern U.S.