Hurricane Rafael, an exceptionally rare storm for November, has intensified into a Category 2 hurricane, packing sustained winds of 110 mph. Now tracking toward the southeastern U.S., Rafael threatens regions from Texas to the Florida Panhandle with potentially life-threatening conditions.

The storm is expected to make landfall in western Cuba within hours, triggering high alert across vulnerable U.S. coastal areas. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued multiple warnings along the storm’s projected path, including the Florida Keys, where residents should prepare for heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and an increased tornado risk.

As Rafael moves into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, forecasters warn it could strengthen further. Emergency officials are urging residents to closely monitor updates, secure their homes, and prepare for major weather disruptions in the coming days.