Hurricane Rafael Leaves Cuba in Darkness, Heads for Gulf

Hurricane Rafael has caused a nationwide blackout in Cuba, with winds reaching up to 185 km/h. The storm, a category-three hurricane, led to the evacuation of at least 70,000 people and warnings of storm surges, flash flooding, and mudslides. This blackout follows a recent power outage linked to infrastructure issues and Hurricane Oscar. Rafael made landfall in Artemisa province and is expected to weaken slightly as it moves across the island, but will remain a hurricane as it enters the Gulf of Mexico.