Tropical Storm Rafael formed in the Caribbean on Monday, bringing heavy rain to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, The Associated Press reports.
Forecasters warn that the storm is likely to strengthen into a hurricane and make landfall in Cuba later this week.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a tropical storm warning for Jamaica and a hurricane watch for the Cayman Islands and parts of Cuba, including the provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, and the Isle of Youth. A tropical storm watch was also issued for Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, and Las Tunas in Cuba, as well as for the lower and middle Florida Keys from Key West to west of the Channel 5 Bridge, and for the Dry Tortugas.
Rafael, located about 150 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica, is moving north-northwest at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. The storm is expected to pass near Jamaica late Monday, be near or over the Cayman Islands late Tuesday as a hurricane, and approach Cuba on Wednesday.
While most forecasts predict Rafael will peak as a Category 1 hurricane, experts warn that it could strengthen further. “Conditions over the next few days will favor strengthening, so we’ll need to monitor how quickly it organizes, and a stronger hurricane can’t be ruled out,” stated hurricane specialist and storm surge expert Michael Lowry.
In preparation for the storm, the Cayman Islands government has offered sandbags to residents and announced school closures on Tuesday. Schools in Jamaica will also be closed on Tuesday, with government offices closing on Monday afternoon. Cuban authorities have evacuated over 37,000 people in eastern Cuba due to the impending bad weather.
Heavy rainfall is expected to affect the western Caribbean, with totals of 3 to 6 inches and up to 9 inches locally in Jamaica and parts of Cuba. Flooding and mudslides are a significant concern.
This latest storm follows Tropical Storm Oscar, which brought heavy rains to Cuba in October, resulting in eight deaths and a widespread blackout. The Jamaica Observer reported a landslide in a rural area north of Kingston on Sunday, attributed to persistent rains ahead of the potential storm. No injuries were reported, but the incident isolated several communities.
Rafael is the 17th named storm of the current hurricane season. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Patty in the Atlantic has dissipated.
