Hurricane Rafael is rapidly intensifying in the Caribbean and is expected to become a Category 3 hurricane before it slams into Cuba Wednesday. As of Wednesday morning, Rafael was a Category 2 storm with winds of 110 mph – just 1 mph away from Category 3 status – and 130 miles from Cuba.

Hurricane Rafael intensified on Wednesday as storm-battered Cuba prepared for landfall and U.S. officials watched for potential impacts.

Hurricane Rafael has intensified to a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph as it nears Cuba, posing significant threats of damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall that could lead to flooding and mudslides.