Tropical Storm Rafael strengthens as it barrels toward Cayman Islands, Cuba

6/11/2024 12:13

        Tropical Storm Rafael was rapidly picking up steam on Tuesday afternoon as it chugged toward the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean, and will likely become a hurricane in the next few hours, according to the U.S.-based National Hurricane Center.
        
        Rafael was blowing maximum sustained winds of 70 mph after skirting past western Jamaica around mid-day, the NHC said in a weather report.
        
        Residents in Jamaica hunkered down, with four emergency shelters activated, according to authorities. No deaths or injuries were reported as bursts of heavy rain dumped on the island.
        
        As Rafael chugged toward the Cayman Islands, the British territory was setting up its own preparations and bracing for damages to infrastructure, power lines and water systems, the government said in a statement.
        
        Premier Juliana O'Connor-Connolly told Radio Cayman that schools would remain closed on Wednesday.