HAVANA (Reuters) -Tropical Storm Rafael gained steam late on Monday as it churned northward toward Cuba, which is still struggling to recover from a nationwide blackout and hurricane two weeks ago.

A hurricane warning is in effect for the Cayman Islands and the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas and the Isle of Youth.

Hurricane Rafael is intensifying rapidly and is forecast to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging wind, and heavy rain to Western Cuba today before moving into the Gulf of Mexico.