The powerful Category 3 hurricane made landfall at 4:15 p.m. ET near Playa Majana in the province of Artemisa, causing widespread disruption.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) confirmed Rafael's landfall and highlighted the intense winds, flooding rain, and dangerous storm surge associated with the storm. Although the hurricane weakened slightly after entering Cuba, it is expected to sustain hurricane strength as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico.

Residents along the U.S. Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida are bracing themselves as Rafael is set to enter the Gulf by Wednesday night. Earlier, the Cayman Islands experienced strong winds as the hurricane passed through, leaving the region on high alert for potential flooding and mudslides.

The NHC predicts heavy rainfall with totals of 4-8 inches in parts of Cuba, and up to 12 inches in higher terrains. The Cayman Islands could see an additional 2-4 inches of rain. In the lower and middle Florida Keys, rainfall could range between 1-3 inches. These heavy rains raise concerns about flash flooding in vulnerable areas.

Residents in Key West have already begun to feel the effects of the storm, experiencing increased winds, despite the hurricane being hundreds of miles south in the Caribbean Sea. A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the area.

A particularly worrying aspect of Hurricane Rafael is the storm surge. The NHC has warned of a surge between 9-14 feet above normal high-tide levels along Cuba's southern coast, including the Isle of Youth. In the Dry Tortugas National Park area, forecasts predict a surge of 1-3 feet, while the lower Florida Keys may see an increase of 1-2 feet.

As Rafael continues its path, millions along the Gulf Coast are preparing for the storm's impending impact, keeping a close watch on the developments from the NHC.