Flooding rains, gusty winds, and coastal flooding are likely to impact millions of the Caribbean islands as Tropical Storm Rafael, the 17th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, picks up steam through Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Rafael is intensifying as it moves toward the Cayman Islands and western Cuba. It will likely enter the Gulf of Mexico as a hurricane - here's what you need to know.

Hurricane Rafael continues to gain strength and remains on track to emerge in the Gulf of Mexico where millions of people from Texas to Florida will be keeping their eyes on the late-season hurricane.