HAVANA, Nov 7– Tropical storm Rafael caused widespread power outages across Cuba on Wednesday as it struck the island, which was already affected by recent power disruptions and a previous devastating hurricane.

Rafael, which strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane, hit the Caribbean island with a population of 10 million.

It made landfall in the western province of Artemisa, east of Playa Majana, around 9 pm, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The NHC reported that Rafael crossed the island within two and a half hours before weakening as it entered the Gulf of Mexico.

US meteorologists warned of life-threatening storm surges and flash floods.

The national power company, Union Electrica, attributed the power outage to “strong winds” caused by Rafael in a post on X.

Nine out of Cuba's 15 provinces, including Havana, were placed under a storm warning.

In Candelaria, a heavily affected town in Artemisa, strong winds caused tree branches to fall, scattering debris across the streets.

More than 70,000 people were evacuated from their homes in Artemisa and the neighboring Pinar del Rio province in the island's far west.

In Havana, home to two million people, the streets were nearly empty: businesses were closed, some gas stations removed their pumps, and public transportation was halted.

The state newspaper Granma reported that airports in the western parts of the country, including in Havana and the resort city of Varadero, were temporarily closed due to the storm.

A tropical storm warning was also issued for the Florida Keys. -AFP