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,

Mapped: Charting Hurricane Rafael’s path through the Gulf of Mexico - The Category 2 storm is forecast to weaken over the next few days as it churns westward in the Gulf of Mexico

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