Rafael is expected to become a hurricane as it passes near the Cayman Islands with further strengthening before it makes landfall in Cuba,” the National Hurricane Center in Miami said, per PBS.

Steady to rapid intensification is forecast over the next 24 to 36 hours, Rafael became a Category 1 hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean.

Tropics threats for Jacksonville/NE Florida/SE Georgia: Rafael will move from the Caribbean to the Gulf of Mexico with its broad circulation enhancing rainfall somewhat Wed.-Thu. along with continued onshore flow causing rough seas & surf & a high rip current risk.