Hurricane Rafael Threatens US Coast as It Lingers in Gulf

Hurricane Rafael, a Category 2 storm, is currently in the Gulf of Mexico, posing life-threatening conditions to the U.S. Gulf Coast despite not being forecasted to make landfall there. The storm has already caused significant damage in Cuba, including power outages and flooding. The National Hurricane Center warns of dangerous rip currents and surf along the Gulf Coast, with Rafael expected to weaken over the weekend as it encounters drier conditions and wind shear.