It’s forecast to move near or just east of Cuba’s Isle of Youth on Wednesday afternoon and make landfall in western Cuba later on Wednesday. Rafael is forecast to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging hurricane-force winds and flash flooding to portions of western Cuba, forecasters warned. Hurricane conditions are expected in western Cuba and the Isle of Youth on Wednesday. Rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected for the lower and middle Florida Keys. Several tornadoes are also possible through Wednesday evening over the Florida Keys and far southwestern Florida mainland.

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Persons: Rafael, Sancti, Ciego de Avila Organizations: NHC, Saffir, Simpson, Cayman, Pinar, Villa Clara, Florida Locations: Cuba’s Isle, Cuba, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Cuban, Pinar del Rio, Mayabeque, Matanzas, Isle, Villa, Cienfuegos, Florida, Key, Caribbean, U.S