Hurricane Rafael (2024) facts for kids
Rafael approaching Cuba near peak intensity on November 6
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| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | November 4, 2024 |
| Category 3 tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 956 mbar (hPa); 28.23 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 6+ |
| Missing | 4+ |
| Damage | Unknown |
| Areas affected | |
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Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Hurricane Rafael is a powerful tropical cyclone. It moved over the Gulf of Mexico after hitting Cuba. It was the 17th named storm and 11th hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. Rafael started on November 4, 2024. It grew from an area of low pressure. This low pressure was part of a weather system called a Central American gyre.
The storm got stronger over two days. Rafael became a hurricane early on November 6. It then moved towards Cuba. Good weather conditions helped it grow very quickly. This is called rapid intensification. Rafael became a major hurricane later that day. It then made landfall (hit land) in Cuba.
Before Rafael became a hurricane, its early stages caused heavy rain and mudslides. At least five people died in Panama because of this.
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How Rafael Formed and Grew
On October 26, weather experts started watching the Caribbean Sea. They thought a tropical storm might form there. By November 1, a large area of low pressure appeared. It was in the southwestern Caribbean. This was linked to a Central American gyre.
At first, the storm was not very organized. But it started to get stronger by November 3. That afternoon, special planes called Hurricane Hunters flew into the system. They found it had a closed center. This meant it was becoming a storm. But it was not yet strong enough to be called a tropical depression.
Because the storm was a threat to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, it was called Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen. The next day, on November 4, more data showed it was well-organized. It was then upgraded to Tropical Depression Eighteen.
The new storm was about 195 miles (314 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica. The ocean water was very warm, about 30°C (86°F). This helped the storm get stronger. It became Tropical Storm Rafael that same afternoon.
On November 5, Rafael moved northwest. It passed west of Jamaica. By early November 6, it had become a hurricane. It quickly grew much stronger. This is called rapid intensification. A small eye (the calm center of the storm) became visible. Rafael became a Category 3 major hurricane that afternoon. It hit land in Artemisa, Cuba, on November 6. Its winds were about 100 knots (115 mph or 185 km/h).
Getting Ready for the Storm
People in many countries prepared for Hurricane Rafael.
Panama and Costa Rica
On November 2, Panama issued a tropical storm warning. This was for areas from Chiriquí to Veraguas. Panama's emergency agency told people to watch for weather updates. They warned about heavy rain and strong waves. Yellow alerts were given for western Panama. Red warnings were issued for Colón, Coclé, and Kuna Yala. Schools were closed in five provinces. The government opened nine emergency shelters. In Costa Rica, heavy rain from Rafael was expected until November 8.
Jamaica
When Rafael's early storm was named, Jamaica received a tropical storm warning. Two soccer matches were moved to a later date. Other sports games also had to be delayed. The University of the West Indies closed its clinics and non-emergency services.
Cayman Islands
On November 3, a Hurricane Watch was issued for the Cayman Islands. This meant a hurricane was possible. The next morning, this was changed to a Hurricane Warning. This meant a hurricane was expected. All government schools and the University College of the Cayman Islands closed on November 5.
The Cayman Islands Regiment sent soldiers to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. They helped people prepare. Sandbags were given out to residents. Shelters were opened in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Many government offices and all banks closed on November 5.
Cuba
On November 4, a hurricane watch was issued for six eastern provinces of Cuba. Two other provinces received a tropical storm warning. More than 66,000 people were moved to safer places in Guantánamo Province. Several flights were cancelled. Boat travel between Batabanó and Nueva Gerona was stopped.
Classes were suspended in many provinces. Transportation stopped in towns in Western Cuba, including Havana. Rafael hit Cuba while the country was still recovering. They had a country-wide power outage and had been hit by Hurricane Oscar two weeks earlier.
United States
Florida
On November 4, a Tropical Storm Watch was issued for parts of the Florida Keys. This included Key West and the Dry Tortugas. Schools in Monroe County closed on November 6 as a safety step. On November 5, the watch became a Tropical Storm Warning for the lower and middle Florida Keys.
What Happened After the Storm
| Country | Deaths | Missing | Damage cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 5 | 2 | Unknown |
| Colombia | 1 | 0 | Unknown |
| Jamaica | Unknown | 2 | Unknown |
| Cuba | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Total | 6 | 4 | Unknown |
Hurricane Rafael caused damage and problems in several countries.
Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua
In Panama, Rafael's early rains damaged many homes. More than 1,097 people had to leave their homes. About 100 people stayed in shelters. At least five people died in Panama. Two others were missing. Over 200 families were affected in Herrera and Los Santos Provinces.
Rafael also caused floods in Costa Rica. A bridge collapsed, and 42 people needed rescue in Guanacaste Province. Floods also hit Matagalpa, Nicaragua. They damaged businesses and homes there.
Colombia
In Colombia, Rafael's early storm brought very heavy rain to the Santa Marta area. Rocks slid down hills, and floodwaters swept away several cars. Some homes were damaged, and two were destroyed. One person had minor injuries. Many buildings were at risk of falling down. In La Guajira Department, one person drowned. More than 100 families were affected. Many streams overflowed, flooding roads and houses.
Jamaica
Officials in Jamaica said heavy rains before the storm caused a large landslide on November 3. This left some rural communities cut off. Rafael's heavy rains blocked several roads. Garbage blocked a road in Saint Andrew Parish. A landslide blocked another road in Saint Catherine Parish. In Saint Catherine Parish, two people went missing due to flooding. Many southern parishes in Jamaica received over 3 inches (7.6 cm) of rain. Rafael's rain made flooding worse in Troja district. The storm caused floods and landslides. It also knocked out the country's power grid.
Cayman Islands
Very heavy rain from Rafael caused power outages on Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Grand Cayman saw rough seas and flooding. Power lines and trees fell down on Little Cayman. Also, several dive boats sank off the coast of Little Cayman.
Cuba
The capital city, Havana, had very strong winds like a hurricane. The entire city lost all power because of Rafael.
See also
In Spanish: Huracán Rafael (2024) para niños
- Other storms of the same name
- Weather of 2024
- Tropical cyclones in 2024
- Timeline of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season
