Hurricane Rafael (2024) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Hurricane Rafael

Rafael approaching Cuba near peak intensity on November 6
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	Panama Costa Rica Nicaragua Colombia Jamaica Cayman Islands Cuba
Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Rafael is an active tropical cyclone currently over the Gulf of Mexico, after making landfall in Cuba. The seventeenth named storm, eleventh hurricane, and fifth major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Rafael formed on November 4 from an area of low-pressure spawned by a Central American gyre. Steady organization occurred throughout the next two days, with Rafael becoming a hurricane early on November 6 as it moved northwest towards Cuba. Favorable conditions enabled the cyclone to rapidly intensify, becoming a major hurricane later that day before making landfall in Cuba.

At least five deaths in Panama occurred due to heavy flooding and landslides produced by Rafael's precursor.

Meteorological history

On October 26, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring the southwestern Caribbean in anticipation of tropical development. Several days later, on November 1, a broad area of low pressure developed over the southwestern Caribbean, associated with a Central American gyre. The disturbance initially remained disorganized, but began showing signs of organization on November 3. That afternoon, Air Force Hurricane Hunters collected data showing that the system had developed a closed center, but that deep convection had not yet become organized enough for it to be declared a tropical depression. Due to the disturbance's impending threat to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the NHC designated the developing storm Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen. The following day, data from the Hurricane Hunters, satellite imagery, and surface observations revealed that the had disturbance developed a well-defined center and was producing organized deep convection; it was accordingly upgraded to Tropical Depression Eighteen the morning of November 4.

At the time, the newly-formed cyclone was located about 195 mi (314 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica. Amid favorable conditions, including warmer than average sea surface temperatures of 30 °C (86 °F), the depression continued to strengthen, and became Tropical Storm Rafael that afternoon. The storm tracked northwestward along the southwestern side of a ridge over the western Atlantic on November 5, and passed to the west of Jamaica. That afternoon it developed an inner wind core, and strengthened into a hurricane early on November 6. Rapid intensification ensued throughout the morning as a small eye became visible, with Rafael becoming a Category 3 major hurricane that afternoon as it neared Cuba, eventually making landfall in the province of Artemisa, just east of Playa Majana, at 21:15 UTC on November 6, with sustained winds of 100 kn (120 mph; 190 km/h).

Preparations

Panama and Costa Rica

On November 2, the Government of Panama issued a tropical storm warning from Chiriquí to Veraguas. SINAPROC, Panama's emergency services agency, asked residents and tourists to pay attention to weather warnings issued by authorities and noted the threat of heavy rain and strong waves. Several yellow alerts, signifying the threat of the impending weather, were issued for the western portion of the nation. Colón, Coclé, and Kuna Yala had red warnings declared for them. Classes were suspended in five provinces, while the government opened nine emergency shelters. In Costa Rica, rainfall from Rafael was expected to continue until November 8.

Jamaica

Once the precursor to Rafael was designated as a potential tropical cyclone, a tropical storm warning was issued for Jamaica. Two matches in the Jamaica Premier League, originally scheduled for November 4, were postponed. Additionally, several matches in the Manning Cup had to be delayed due to the storm. The University of the West Indies closed all clinics and non-emergency services due to the storm.

Cayman Islands

At the time Rafael's precursor was designed a potential tropical cyclone on November 3, a Hurricane Watch was issued for the Cayman Islands. The following morning, the watch covering the Cayman Islands was replaced with a Hurricane Warning. Due to the storm, all government schools and the University College of the Cayman Islands were closed on November 5. The Cayman Islands Regiment deployed to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman for the first time. Eight were sent to Little Cayman and ten were sent to Cayman Brac. Sandbags were made available for the residents of Cayman Brac and Grand Cayman. Shelters were also opened in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Several government offices closed in preparation for Rafael. The Cayman Islands' Bankers Association closed all banks on November 5.

Cuba

A hurricane watch went into effect for six eastern provinces of Cuba on November 4. The Camagüey Province and Las Tunas Province saw a Tropical Storm Warning go into effect. Due to the system's expected impacts, over 66,000 people were evacuated from Guantánamo Province. Additionally, several flights were cancelled, and maritime traffic between Batabanó and Nueva Gerona was suspended. Classes were suspended in multiple provinces with transportation services halted in multiple towns in Western Cuba, including Havana. Rafael approached as the country was still recovering from a country-wide power blackout, and the effects of Hurricane Oscar, which struck the eastern part of Cuba about two weeks earlier.

United States

Florida

A Tropical Storm Watch was issued on November 4 for the lower and middle Florida Keys from Key West to west of the Channel 5 Bridge, and for the Dry Tortugas. As a precaution, schools in Monroe County were closed on November 6. On November 5, the watch was upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for the lower and middle Florida Keys.

Impact

Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua

In Panama, rains from the incipient disturbance of Rafael damaged several homes, leaving a total of more than 1,097 displaced. About 100 people were housed in shelters. At least five people died in the nation as a result, with another two remaining missing. More than 200 families were affected by the rains in Herrera and Los Santos Provinces.

Rafael also caused flooding in Costa Rica, resulting in a bridge collapse and 42 people needing to be rescued in Guanacaste Province. Floods also affected Matagalpa, Nicaragua, causing damage to businesses and homes.

Colombia

In Colombia, Rafael's precursor caused torrential rainfall in the Santa Marta area. Rockslides occurred and several cars were swept away by floodwaters. Some homes also sustained damage, with two of them destroyed. One person also suffered from minor injuries. Multiple structures were declared at risk of collapse. In La Guajira Department, one person drowned and more than 100 families were affected, with multiple streams overflowing resulting in numerous roads and houses being flooded.

Jamaica

Officials in Jamaica blamed persistent rains ahead of the potential storm for a large landslide on November 3, which left several rural communities isolated. Heavy rains from Rafael caused several road blockages, with garbage propelled by the storm blocking a road in Saint Andrew Parish and a landslide blocking another road in Saint Catherine Parish. At the latter parish, two people were left missing due to the flooding. Several of Jamaica's southern parishes received over 3 in (7.6 cm) of rainfall. Rainfall from Rafael exacerbated flooding in Troja district, causing several fords to break away throughout the area. The storm caused flooding and landslides, and knocked the nation's power grid offline.

Cayman Islands

Torrential rainfall from Rafael caused the islands of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac to lose power. Grand Cayman saw rough seas and flooding from Rafael. Power lines and trees were downed on Little Cayman. Additionally, multiple dive boats sank off the coast of Little Cayman.

Cuba

The capital, Havana, received hurricane-force gusts and lost all power due to 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