HOUSTON (Reuters)

The port of Freeport in south Texas reopened on Tuesday after temporarily closing to inbound vessel traffic due to offshore conditions ahead of Tropical Storm Rafael, according to a notice from a shipping agency.

Rafael is expected to become a hurricane in the next few hours as it passes near the Cayman Islands, further intensifying before making landfall in Cuba.

Tropical storm conditions are anticipated in the lower and middle Florida Keys starting Wednesday, and Rafael is projected to move into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by Wednesday night.

The port of Freeport reopened around 3 p.m. CT (4 p.m. ET).

Port condition 'Whiskey' remains in effect at some ports in Florida, including Tampa and St. Petersburg, indicating that gale-force winds are expected within 72 hours. Vessels must indicate their location ahead of the storm and be ready to dock or leave within 12 hours.

Major energy companies have announced evacuations for some oil production workers and are securing offshore platforms in preparation for Tropical Storm Rafael's approach to the Gulf of Mexico.