Hurricane Irma has strengthened into a Category 4 storm as it approaches the northeast Caribbean.
As of the 5am Atlantic Time update from the National Hurricane Center, the storm’s center is 320 or so miles east of the Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph and is moving west at 14 mph.
Emergency officials are warning that Irma could dump up to 10 inches of rain, unleash landslides and dangerous flash floods and generate waves of up to 23 feet as the storm draws closer.
A hurricane warning has been issued for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten and St. Barts. A hurricane watch is in effect for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, the British and U.S. Virgin islands and Guadeloupe.
Florida Gov Rick Scott has already declared a state of emergency in all 67 counties.