Rafael strengthened into a hurricane before the its projected impact on Cuba Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Storm Rafael was rapidly picking up steam on Tuesday afternoon as it chugged toward the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean, and will likely become a hurricane in the next few hours, according to the U.

Raphel comes as Cuba struggles to rebuild its collapsed electricity grid, which failed completely following the passage of Hurricane Oscar. It is feared that any significant impact from Raphael would once again plunge the nation into an extended period of darkness. A tropical storm warning has also been issued for Jamaica.