Hurricane Rafael—a remarkably late-season storm—has rapidly intensified into a Category 2 system with sustained winds of 110 mph, threatening a broad swath of the southeastern United States from Texas all the way to the Florida Panhandle. Over the next 12 to 24 hours, Rafael is forecast to pass near western Cuba before entering the Gulf of Mexico. There, over unusually warm November waters, it could strengthen further, potentially becoming the most powerful late-season hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean since Hurricane Paloma in 2008.
The National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane warnings and watches for communities in Rafael’s projected path. In the Florida Keys, officials anticipate heavy rainfall, the potential for flash flooding, and an elevated risk of isolated tornadoes embedded within the storm’s outer bands. County emergency managers are setting up shelters, pre-positioning generators and relief supplies, and coordinating with state and federal agencies to ensure rapid response.
Residents living in low-lying or flood-prone neighborhoods are being urged to reinforce doors and windows, clear storm drains around their properties, and assemble at least a three-day supply of food, water, and medications. Power companies are mobilizing repair crews and staging essential equipment to restore electricity as quickly as possible should outages occur.
Meteorologists point out that Rafael’s future intensity hinges on its overwater track: lingering over the Gulf’s record-warm surface could allow the storm to maintain or even increase its strength before landfall. Coastal communities from southeastern Texas through southwestern Florida are advised to monitor official forecasts closely, heed evacuation orders where issued, and avoid unnecessary travel once tropical-storm–force winds arrive.
Volunteer organizations, including the Red Cross and Community Emergency Response Teams, stand ready to offer shelter, supplies, and cleanup assistance. Likewise, state National Guard units have been placed on alert to support rescue operations and humanitarian aid once Rafael moves inland. As this rare November hurricane approaches, local leaders and residents alike are emphasizing the importance of preparation, communication, and community solidarity in the face of potentially severe impacts.