Rafael is melting into a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico after hitting Cuba as a hurricane

MIAMI (AP) – Rafael has weakened into a low-pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico after tearing through Cuba as a Category 3 storm last week.

Rafael weakened into a storm on Saturday and faded into a small remnant on Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The agency said on Sunday the post-tropical storm was located 560 kilometers northwest of Progreso, Mexico, with sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph). It was moving east at 3 mph (6 kph) and was forecast to move south toward southern Mexico as it continued to weaken on Monday.

Forecasters warned that the storm surge is likely to cause dangerous surf and rip current conditions along parts of the north and west gulf coast.

Rafael attacked western Cuba on Wednesday. Strong winds knocked out power in Cuba, forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people and destroyed hundreds of homes. The storm hit Jamaica and the Cayman Islands earlier in the week, knocking out power and causing mudslides.