Florida has barely recovered from the last two hurricanes that rampaged across the state, destroyed buildings and and left thousands without power.

Cuba was left picking up the pieces after a fierce Category 3 hurricane ripped across the island, destroying hundreds of homes, knocking out the country’s power grid. Areas to the south of Havana were particularly badly hit by Hurricane Rafael.

Rafael strengthen into a "major hurricane" early Friday, as forecasters warned the storm will cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the Gulf Coast for the next several days.