FILE PHOTO: People try to remove mud from a street a week after Hurricane Oscar hit the town of Imias in Guantanamo province, Cuba, Oct. 29, 2024. Ariel Ley/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
HAVANA (Reuters) -Tropical Storm Rafael gained steam late on Monday as it churned northward toward Cuba, which is still struggling to recover from a nationwide blackout and hurricane two weeks ago.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Rafael would see "steady or rapid intensification" before plowing across western Cuba with maximum predicted winds of up to 100 mph (160 kph) by Wednesday.
