The National Hurricane Center in Miami has issued a hurricane watch for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and a hurricane warning for the Leeward Islands north of Guadeloupe, including Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Martin/St. The center said there was a growing possibility that the storm’s effects could be felt in Florida later this week and over the weekend, though it was still too early to be sure of its future track: “Everyone in hurricane-prone areas should ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place.”

Irma’s center was expected to move near or over the northern Leeward Islands late Tuesday and early Wednesday, the hurricane center said. A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. More: Irma strengthens into Category 2 hurricane in the Atlantic

More: Tropical Storm Irma forms in the Atlantic

More: Get the latest update at naplesnews.com/hurricane

Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph with higher gusts. At 11 a.m. Hurricane Irma is moving toward the west-southwest near 14 mph and this course at a slightly slower forward speed is expected through tonight, the National Hurricane Center reports. “Let’s hope for the best.”

People in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico braced for blackouts after the director of the island’s power company predicted that storm damage could leave some areas without electricity for four to six months.
Hurricane Irma is now a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h). Hurricane warnings are issued for the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, which are expected to be affected Tuesday. Rainfalls of up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) are possible. Irma is forecast to strengthen over the next 48 hours. The governors of Puerto Rico and Florida issue states of emergency.