01:12 Tropical Storm Beta Drifting Around the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico Tropical Storm Beta has stalled in the western Gulf of Mexico, which will eventually set the storm up for a slow scrape of the Texas coast into next week. Beta poses a major threat of rainfall and coastal flooding to the Texas and Louisiana coasts.

At a Glance Hurricane Irma is now on a course for the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas as a Category 5 hurricane.

Hurricane watches have been issued for parts of Florida.

Hurricane warnings have been issued for portions of the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas.

Irma is increasingly likely to target parts of the Florida peninsula as a dangerous hurricane this weekend.

Parts of Georgia and the Carolinas could then be struck by Irma early next week.

Hurricane Irma, a potentially catastrophic Category 5 hurricane, is tracking north of the Dominican Republic this morning and will then head for the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas, before posing a serious threat to Florida and parts of the Southeast beginning this weekend.

For the latest on Irma please click here .

Recap: Leeward Islands Battered

The Leeward Islands were pounded by Irma late Tuesday into Wednesday.

Irma's 185 mph winds make it the strongest hurricane to strike the Leeward Islands region , according to Dr. Phil Klotzbach, a tropical scientist at Colorado State University. That beat out the Okeechobee Hurricane (1928) and David (1979) which both had 160 mph winds at their peak in the Leeward Islands.

Irma first passed over Barbuda, an island of 1600 residents, with gusts of at least 155 mph overnight into Wednesday morning. A storm surge of about eight feet was also recorded.

Early Wednesday morning, the eye of Irma then moved over St. Martin, St. Barthelemy and near Anguilla, where sustained winds of 117 mph were measured.

(MORE: Irma Slams Northeastern Caribbean )

Hurricane-force winds and heavy rain were reported in the Virgin Islands. A wind gust of 131 mph was reported at Buck Island and a gust of 87 mph has been measured on St. Thomas, on Wednesday, September 6.

In addition, a 111 mph gust has been reported on Culebra.

PHOTOS: Hurricane Irma