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 rapidly intensified into a major category 3 storm in the Caribbean as it neared the western coast of Cuba, the National Hurricane Center said.

The hurricane is in rarified air for storms in November, but will be in much different shape as it approaches the US.