The imminent approach of Hurricane Rafael is already being felt in Cuban territory, especially in the Isle of Youth, Cayo Largo del Sur, and the southern part of Matanzas province.
Images shared on social media reveal hurricane-force winds in the mentioned areas, accompanied by rainfall.
The Zapata Swamp is one of the areas where time is deteriorating rapidly.
At 9:00 a.m. (local time), the Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) published a new bulletin urging Cubans to be "prepared and alert" in light of the imminent arrival of Rafael on Cuban territory.
The eye of the hurricane is now clearly visible very close to the Isle of Youth.
In a report at 10:00 a.m. (local time), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) stated that the center of Rafael is located just 95 km east-southeast of the Isle of Youth and 205 km south-southeast of Havana.
Rafael continues to be a Category 2 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph). However, according to the report at 10 o'clock, it was only 3 km away from reaching Category 3.
The hurricane continues its northwest movement at 22 km/h (14 mph), with a minimum central pressure of 960 mb (28.35 inches).
The forecast remains that Rafael will reach major hurricane status before hitting western Cuba.
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