The biggest impacts from Rafael's storm bands may affect offshore oil and gas production. Several companies evacuated workers from rigs as Rafael remains near oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Once Rafael takes a more southerly path, Northern Mexico may also begin experiencing higher wave heights and high surf along the beaches.

Rafael has weakened to a tropical storm and was expected to dissolve over the Gulf of Mexico in the coming days after barreling across Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane.

Forecasters are continuing to monitor the storm as it dissipates. The NHC said swells generated by Rafael will continue impacting portions of the northern and western Gulf Coast. This is expected to continue through the weekend, the NHC said. These swells are likely to “cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” the agency said.

Hurricane Rafael has weakened into a tropical storm as it swirls through the Gulf of Mexico where it is expected to break apart after plowing through Cuba, knocking out the country’s power grid and co

Hurricane Rafael pulled away from Cuba Thursday morning after slamming into the island as a Category 3 hurricane and taking down its power grid.

Hurricane Rafael is swirling over the Gulf of Mexico, where it’s expected to break apart after plowing through Cuba, knocking out its power grid and collapsing homes.