Hurricane Rafael

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. Early on November 3, the broad circulation contracted, with disorganized convection. 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 storm slowed as it rounded the western end of the ridge, curving northwestward and northward on November 9. Wind shear increased that day, exposing a low-level center and displacing storms far to its northeast. Rafael continued weakening, and by 12:00 UTC on November 10, it lacked enough organized convection to be classed a tropical cyclone. It degenerated into a remnant low while drifting over the central Gulf. The remnants of Rafael decayed into a low-pressure trough by 18:00 UTC. == Preparations ==

Panama On November 2, the Government of Panama issued a red warning from Chiriquí to Veraguas. 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. Jamaica Once the precursor to Rafael was designated as a potential tropical cyclone, a tropical storm warning was issued for Jamaica. 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 designated as 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. Cayman Airways confirmed that their fleet had been secured. 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 provinces of Camagüey and Las Tunas 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 the capital city 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. More than 283,000 people evacuated ahead of the storm, including 98,300 from Havana. Florida A tropical storm watch was posted on November 4 for the Florida Keys from the Dry Tortugas to the west of the Channel 5 Bridge, including Key West. On November 5, the watch was upgraded to a tropical storm warning. As a precaution, schools in Monroe County were closed on November 6. == Impact ==

Panama and Costa Rica 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. More than 200 families were affected by the rains in Herrera and Los Santos Provinces. Damages in Panama were at least $110 million. Additionally, interaction between the disturbance and the Pacific Intertropical Convergence Zone caused flooding in Costa Rica. This resulted in a bridge collapse and 42 people needing to be rescued in Guanacaste Province. Agricultural losses in Costa Rica were at least ₡500 million (US$980,000). 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, 192,465 people and 38,493 families were affected, with multiple streams overflowing resulting in numerous roads and houses being flooded. 700 billion pesos (US$159 million) were requested to assist those who were affected by the storm. As of January 2025, damages in Colombia are estimated to be at US$150 million, according to AON. Jamaica overview map showing the impact of Hurricane Rafael in Cuba and 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. At the latter parish, two people were found dead in a vehicle that was swept away by the floods. Several of Jamaica's southern parishes received over 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. According to the Jamaican government, damage in infrastructure and agriculture totaled at J$1.27 billion (US$8 million). Cayman Islands Cayman Brac had numerous trees and power lines downed; some structures and docks were also damaged. Rainfall peaked at in Cayman Brac and in Grand Cayman. Winds gusted up to in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman saw rough seas and flooding from Rafael. Power lines and trees were downed on Little Cayman, with roads covered with sand and debris. Additionally, multiple dive boats sank off the coast of Little Cayman. However, losses were below the required amount to issue a payout to the islands. Cuba Rafael's strong winds caused an island-wide power-grid failure. In western Cuba, of rain was reported, with a peak rainfall total of in Bauta resulting in flooding and landslides. Government officials reported that areas in and around Artemisa sustained the worst damage from Rafael. In Artemisa, 2,825 homes were damaged, in addition to hospitals, schools, and service centers. Nearly 40,000 acres of crops were either damaged or lost. In neighboring Mayabeque, 441 homes were damaged, and agriculture was badly affected. Rafael passed about west of Havana, with sustained winds of being recorded, along with gusts of up to . Numerous homes and public buildings were damaged, trees were uprooted, and telephone poles toppled. Damages caused by Rafael were calculated at 25.8 billion pesos (US$1.08 billion). United States While Rafael did not approach the U.S. Gulf Coast, it did churn up rip currents along much of the coast on November 9 and 10. In addition, Rafael impacted the Florida Keys with over of rain at some locations, and winds gusted up to . However, no significant damage was reported. In Louisiana and Texas, a frontal boundary interacted with the weakening Rafael, pulling moisture into both states. Heavy rainfall was reported, causing flooding along numerous highways and homes. Rising floodwaters stalled several vehicles, prompting rescues. Total damage in Louisiana totaled to US$165,000. Total damage in Texas totaled to US$75,000. The same frontal boundary also caused flooding in Georgia and South Carolina, with of rain falling in less than 24 hours. In South Carolina, two people were killed as a result of freshwater flooding. Even so, these fatality and damage figures do not count towards the hurricane's official totals. == See also ==