Experts are forecasting that Hurricane Rafael will soon emerge into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico tonight, intensifying as it approaches. Tropical storm conditions are already expected in the Florida Keys, prompting the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to issue warnings for residents in the area.
As the storm picks up strength, Americans in its projected path have been urged to secure any loose outdoor objects to prepare for strong winds and the threat of flooding. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bill Deger emphasized that even minor shifts in Rafael’s intensity or the winds surrounding it could significantly alter its trajectory.
Upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane today, Rafael could potentially make landfall anywhere between the Texas coast and the Florida Panhandle, keeping authorities and residents on high alert.
