The National Hurricane Center said Hurricane Rafael grew into a major Category 3 storm Wednesday and made landfall in Cuba on its way into the Gulf of Mexico, while the Florida Keys remained under a tropical storm warning.
As of 4:15 p.m. EST, Rafael, which first gained hurricane status at 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, remained a major hurricane with 115 mph sustained winds. It made landfall in the Cuban province of Artemisa just east of Playa Majana, about 40 miles southwest of Havana, Cuba, and 30 miles southeast of Bahia Honda, Cuba, moving northwest at 14 mph.
Hurricane-force winds extend out 30 miles and tropical-storm-force winds extend out 115 miles from its center.
A hurricane warning remains in effect for the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas and the Isle of Youth.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Florida’s Lower and Middle Florida Keys from Key West to west of the Channel 5 Bridge and the Dry Tortugas as well as the Cuban provinces of Villa Clara and Cienfuegos.
Rafael was expected to make landfall in western Cuba on Wednesday evening and move into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday night.
“Little change in strength is expected before Rafael makes landfall in western Cuba,” forecasters said. “Some weakening is forecast while Rafael crosses western Cuba, but the storm is forecast to remain a hurricane over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.”
Effects began hitting southwest Florida on Wednesday with the National Weather Service in Miami forecasting 1-3 inches of rain, especially in the middle and lower Keys.
“There is a limited tornado threat, with the primary area of concern being over interior and southwest portions of the region,” NWS forecasters said.
Deep moisture buildup from ahead of the storm will push into Central Florida by Wednesday evening.
Marine hazards remain the primary concern for the Gulf Coast.
Storm surge is projected to range from 1-3 feet in the Dry Tortugas and 1-2 feet in the lower Florida Keys.
Immediate concerns for the Caribbean included rainfall totals could reach more than 12 inches over Cuba through midweek with the threat of flash flooding and mudslides.
Once it makes it into the Gulf of Mexico, its final destination along the Gulf Coast remains uncertain.