Hurricane Rafael has strengthened into a Category 3 storm as it approaches the western coast of Cuba, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Rafael made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday afternoon in western Cuba before weakening, the National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Rafael made landfall Wednesday as a powerful Category 3 storm on the western coast of Cuba, knocking out power on the island with heavy rainswind — and the possibility of a life-threatening storm surge,