Hurricane Rafael had regained some strength and organization by Thursday afternoon as it churned through the Gulf of Mexico after crossing Cuba and weaking the day before, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. "The improved structure of ...

As the center of Rafael moved on to the Gulf, parts of western Cuba were experiencing "life-threatening storm surge" and flash flooding, the hurricane center said Wednesday evening. All the while, the island's entire population of 10 million was once again left in the dark,

Hurricane Rafael is expected to turn toward the west and slow down in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said.