Bringing you the latest Hurricane Irma path updates, storm track, weather models, the latest forecasts, tracking maps and videos as the storm heads towards the Caribbean. Hurricane Warnings have been issued for more than a dozen Caribbean islands including the northern Leeward Islands, the US and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Cuba and the Bahamas are also under threat as the massive category 5 hurricane brings dangerous 185 mph winds, storm surge and torrential rain. There is an increasing chance that Hurricane Irma could impact Florida, where a state of emergency has been declared and evacuations are under way. We will have the very latest Hurricane Irma news in one place, updated throughout the day and night until the storm has passed. Here are live updates from the the NOAA, National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the National Weather Service (NWS) as well as the most advanced weather models from around the world. FOLLOW THE LATEST HURRICANE IRMA PATH UPDATE LIVE HERE

4.55pm CDT: Airlines make alterations Airlines have adjusted flight schedules, made cancellations and assured passengers they would not have to pay unusually high fares ahead of the storm's arrival. American Airlines, the largest U.S. carrier by passenger traffic, on Wednesday said it would begin winding down operations in south Florida, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, on Friday. Miami-bound flights arriving on Friday from Europe and South America were canceled. Delta Air Lines and JetBlue announced fare caps on flights out of Florida - $99 on JetBlue and $399 on Delta - for residents trying to get out of the storm's path. "We want those trying to leave ahead of the hurricane to focus on their safe evacuation rather than worry about the cost of flights," JetBlue spokesman Doug McGraw said. 4.30pm CDT: Third hurricane forms at Katia upgraded Incredibly a third hurricane has now formed in the Gulf of Mexico, with Katia being upgraded from a tropical storm. A hurricane watch is in effect for the coast of the state of Veracruz from Tuxpan to Laguna Verde. The Mexican Government has issued a hurricane watch for the region meaning hurricane conditions are possible. 4.10pm CDT: Jose upgraded from tropical storm to hurricane As Hurricane Irma continues to batter its way through the Caribbean towards Florida, Hurricane Jose has strengthened quickly from a tropical storm. Hurricane Jose is still located deep in the Atlantic Ocean but is strengthening quickly as it approaches the Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced this evening: “Additional strengthening is forecast, and Jose could be near major hurricane strength on Friday. They said it had shown sustained winds of 75mph “with higher gusts”. No alerts are currently in place at any islands or territories but the NHC did say anyone with “interests in the Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of Jose”. 3.00pm CDT: NHC issues alert Hurricane Irma is now “battering” the Virgin Islands, according to a 4pm EST (9pm BST) update by the National Hurricane Centre (NHC). The alert said maximum sustained winds of 185mph had been recorded - speeds described as "life threatening" by Caribbean officials earlier this week. The latest satellite imagery provided by the NHC shows Irma continuing its route west, towards Haiti, Cuba and Florida. 12.30pm CDT: Hurricane Irma could affect 37 million people As many as 37 million people could feel the effects of the terrifying hurricane Irma, claimed UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Mr Dujarric said: “As Hurricane Irma is moving west over the Caribbean, our humanitarian colleagues are deploying a team to Barbados today to work with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). Additional teams are on standby to travel. “Estimates of population exposure to the hurricane could be as high as 37 million people, according to Dujarric. “In Haiti, the U.N. Country Team is fully supporting Haitian authorities and OCHA Haiti has also deployed staff to the northern departments of the country, which are likely to be impacted. 12.15pm CDT: Hurricane Irma strikes the Virgin Islands The US and UK Virgin Islands have bow fallen under the devastating wind of Hurricane Irma. Forecaster Micheal Ventrice tweeted: “Current look at Major Hurricane #Irma after devastating parts of the N. Leeward islands. Irma is now bearing down on the Virgin Islands.” Parts of the hurricane are expected to affect the northern reaches of Puerto Rico. Irma is then forecast to make its way towards the Turks and Caicos Islands, reaching them by late Thursday. 9.27am CDT: Hurricane Irma 'so big that it would cover the UK and Ireland' Liam Dutton, weather presenter for Channel4 News, said: “Hurricane Irma is so big that it would cover the UK and Ireland. "It's currently heading through the Caribbean towards Florida this weekend.” 8.52am CDT: Florida Keys residents to be evacuated A mandatory evacuation order will go into effect for all residents of Florida Keys tonight, Florida’s Governor Rick Scott has announced. He wrote on Twitter: “Every Floridian should take storm preparations seriously and be aggressive to protect their family. “There is currently a mandatory evacuation order for all visitors in the FL Keys- this order will go into effect for all residents tonight. “We can expect additional evacuations as this storm continues to near our state. EVERYONE must listen to your local officials. “Visit http://www.FL511.com for real-time traffic information and evacuation routes. “Please do not ignore evacuation orders. Remember, we can rebuild your home, not your life. “Do not sit and wait for #HurricaneIrma to come. It is EXTREMELY dangerous & deadly- it will cause devastation. GET PREPARED NOW.” 8.00am CDT: Latest video of Hurricane Irma Terrifying videos of Hurricane Irma blasting the Caribbean are beginning to appear on Twitter. Weather Channel meteorologist Mike Seidel shared a 45-second clip, tweeting: "St Maarten gets blasted overnight by the eye wall of Hurricane Irma." 7.50am CST: NOAA update – Irma track shifts east The latest NOAA advisory at 8am EDT (7am CDT) put Irma 15 miles west of St Martin and 15 miles west-south-west of Anguilla The storm was moving west-northwest at 16mph and is forecast to move over the northern Virgin Islands later today. “The forecast has become more uncertain after 72 h due to large eastward shifts by the ECMWF, Canadian, and HWRF models related to forecasts of the mid- to upper-level trough over the southeastern United States,” the latest update from the NOAA's NHC said. “The bulk of the guidance now calls for Irma to turn northward between 78W-80W, moving near or over the Florida east coast or the northwestern Bahamas.” Irma is now forecast to make landfall in south Florida in between 96 and 120 hours times.

9 Hurricane Irma path update: Latest models show the path has shifted east

7.30am CDT: St Martin and St Barts hit by flooding and blackouts Irma has caused widespread damage, flooding and blackouts on St Barts and St Martins. Buildings had been destroyed, the fire station has been damaged and several roofs have been blown off on St Martins, according to French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb. “We know that the four most solid buildings on the island have been destroyed which means that more rustic structures have probably been completely or partially destroyed,” he said. On St Barts, several homes have been damaged and the fire station is under a metre of water. 6.45am CDT: Hurricane Irma engulfs St Martin and Anguilla Philip Klotzbach, meteorologist at CSU, tweeted: The eye of Cat. 5 Hurricane Irma has engulfed both St Martin and Anguilla as it continues its rampage across the Leeward Islands.” 6.41am CDT: Hurricane Irma hits St Barts and St Martin French Observatory Keraunos tweeted: “St Martin is also now in the eye of Hurricane Irma, with St Bart coming out of it imminently. #Antilles." Daniel Gibbs, president of the territorial community of St Martin, said: “We have never seen this in St Martin. Even the walls are shaking." Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy tweeted: “Support for the Caribbean. Special thoughts for our compatriots in St Martin and St Barts. We are wholeheartedly with you.” 5.25am CDT: Weather models shift east of Florida Tom Terry, chief meteorologist at WFTV/WRDQ, tweeted: "All major global weather models have shifted track of Irma east. This is just one model run, hopefully a trend." 5.20am CDT: 'Extreme conditions reach' St Martin French Observatory Keraunos tweeted: “The most extreme conditions reach Saint Martin, the most populated island in the area (about 75,000 inhabitants).” 4.49am CDT: 'Zero to like' about track for southeast Florida NHC scientist Eric Blake tweeted: “There is zero to like about NHC forecast trends for SE #Florida. Please please prepare in advance to protect u & your loved ones from Irma.”

4.42am CDT: 'We don't how close Irma will get to Florida' The WFTV 9 weatherman said there has been a shift the east, saying: "We don't know how close this is going to get to central Florida." 4.38am CDT: Irma is 'strongest storm ever' to hit St Martin WTTG FOX 5 Meteorologist Mike Thomas tweeted: “Category 5 Hurricane #Irma (185mph winds) to pass over Saint Martin soon. “Strongest storm to ever hit them. Keep them in your thoughts today.”

Hurricane Irma: Latest maps Mon, September 11, 2017 Bringing you the latest Hurricane Irma maps, updated daily Play slideshow National Hurricane Center 1 of 60 Rainfall potential for the United States

4.15am CDT: Most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricane ever recorded - winds remain at 185 mph The hurricane is bringing devastating 185 mph winds (295 km/h) and monster storm surges, dramatically pushing up sea levels around the Leeward Islands. 4.13am CDT: 'Increasing' chance of Hurricane Irma hitting Florida The NHC warned: "The chance of direct impacts from Irma beginning later this week and this weekend from wind, storm surge, and rainfall continues to increase in the Florida Keys and portions of the Florida Peninsula. "However, it is too soon to specify the timing and magnitude of these impacts."

NOAA NHC Hurricane Irma path LIVE UPDATES: Category 3 hurricane hurtles towards Caribbean and USA

4.12am CDT: Hurricane Irma heads towards Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Bahamas The NHC warned: “Irma is a potentially catastrophic category 5 hurricane and will bring life-threatening wind, storm surge, and rainfall hazards to portions of the northern Leeward Islands, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, today. Irma is on track to affect northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, parts of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos on Wednesday night through Friday. The NHC added: “Irma could directly affect the remainder of the Bahamas and Cuba as an extremely dangerous major hurricane later this week.”

NOAA NHC Hurricane Irma path update: Tropical Storm Jose has now formed over the Atlantic

4.10am CDT: Eye of Irma moves toward St Martin The NHC warned: "Eye of potentially catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane Irma moving away from Barbuda and toward St Martin." Irma was last located just 35 miles (55 km) east-southeast of St Martin and 145 miles (235 km) east of St Croix. The NHC warned: "On the forecast track, the extremely dangerous core of Irma will move over portions of the northern Leeward Islands this morning, move near or over portions of the northern Virgin Islands later today, and pass near or just north of Puerto Rico this afternoon or tonight." 4.05am CDT: Hurricane Warning issued for Bahamas - All the warnings Hurricane Warning issued for southeastern Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands. Hurricane Watch issued for central Bahamas. Dominica Tropical Storm warning ends.

NASA Hurricane Irma path update: Hurricane Irma looks on track to hit Florida

Hurricane Warnings: Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St Kitts, Nevis, Saba, St Eustatius, Sint Maarten, St Martin, St Barths, British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, Guadeloupe, southeastern Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Dominican Republic from Cabo Engao to northern border with Haiti. Hurricane Watches: Central Bahamas, Cuba from Matanzas province eastward to Guantanamo, Haiti from northern border of the Dominican Republic to Le Mole St Nicholas. Tropical Storm warnings: Dominican Republic from south of Cabo Engano westward to the southern border with Haiti. WHERE IS HURRICANE IRMA HEADING? 3.20am CDT: Jose to become the next Atlantic hurricane by tonight Tropical Storm Jose is gaining power over the Atlantic and is expected to become a hurricane by Wednesday night. Tropical Depression 13 is drifting east in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico and could become a hurricane in a couple of days.

NOAA NHC Hurricane Irma path update: Latest wind map from the NOAA's NHC

2.30am CDT: Eye of Hurricane Irma ‘passing over’ Barbuda The NHC warned that the eye of the ‘potentially catastrophic’ Hurricane Irma has made landfall on the island of Barbuda. The National Weather Service said the eye of hurricane passed over one of the islanda that make up the nation of Barbuda and Antigua in the Caribbean, at 1.47am local time. 1.30am CDT: Irma to 'peak at 190mph' in next 24-36 hours Meterologist Ryan Maue tweetsed “Based on near perfect environment for Irma Hurricane to intensify, expecting a peak of 900 mb central pressure & 190 mph in next 24-36 hrs.” Mr Maue shared a new ECMWF model which forecasts a category 5 Irma to hit Miami by early Sunday.

9 NOAA NHC Hurricane Irma path update: Latest map shows path of Hurricane Irma

12.45am CDT: National Hurricane Center scientist left speechless Tyler Trogdon, a senior scientist for the NHC's Storm Surge Unit, tweeted: “I am at a complete and utter loss for words looking at Irma's appearance on satellite imagery.” Meteorologists have claimed that Irma is the first storm of its type to reach such catastrophic speeds at its current level of pressure – 916 millibars (mb). Normally a Hurricane would have to drop below 900mb before reaching such devastating speeds.

NOAA NHC Hurricane Irma path update: The latest storm track from the NOAA's NHC

TUESDAY 11.45pm CDT Donald Trump signs emergency declarations Donald Trump has signed emergency declarations for Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands as Hurricane Irma approaches. Florida Governor Rick Scott has told all 7,000 of the state's National Guard troops to report for duty Friday morning. 10:01pm CDT: Tropical Depression 13 could become hurricane The NHC warned that Tropical Depression 13 in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico could become a hurricane in the next couple of days.

NOAA NHC Hurricane Irma path update: NASA SPoRT project shares image of Hurricane Irma

9:22pm CDT: US Navy evacuates thousands from Florida base The US Navy is evacuating one of its Florida bases and more than 5,000 military personnel are being moved out of the region to safety. A Navy spokesman confirmed the "mandatory evacuation of non-essential personnel and dependents from NAS Key West to safe haven within 300 miles of Atlanta, Georgia”. 6.30pm CDT: International Space Station captures Hurricane Irma Dramatic footage, from the International Space Station’s external cameras, show Hurricane Irma churning across the Atlantic Ocean. 4.40pm CDT: Gas futures drop as hurricane approaches Benchmark US gasoline futures have fallen nearly 4 percent as refineries restarted. Futures traders are worried that Irma could disrupt demand while supply recovered as most refineries returned to service.

Windy.com Hurricane Irma path update: Latest map reveals location of Hurricane Irma

4.00pm CDT: Branson refuses to leave his Caribbean island British billionaire and adventurer Sir Richard Branson will stay on his private Caribbean island of Necker despite the potentially devastating arrival of Hurricane Irma. Branson said: “We had some lovely guests staying on Necker Island who have cut their trip short for safety reasons, and another group of guests have also postponed. "I will be on Necker alongside our team, as I have been on the three times we have had hurricanes over the past 30 years." Branson said Necker has "really strong" buildings with hurricane blinds "that should be able to handle extreme weather pretty well". 3.24pm CDT: 10 Hurricane Irma facts Check out our Hurricane Irma facts, which reveal the Catagory 5 storm's record-breaking strength and speed. 2.40pm CDT: Hurricane Irma hits the record books Hurricane Irma is expected to register Category 4+ for five consecutive days - only the fourth time this has happened since 1966. 1.50pm CDT: Monroe Florida issues evacuation order Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued in Monroe County, Florida with everyone required to leave from 7am EDT on Wednesday. “If ever there was a storm to take seriously in the Keys, this is it,” said Monroe County Emergency Management Director Martin Senterfitt. “The sooner people leave, the better.” 1.20pm CDT: Hurricane Irma wind speeds pick up Hurricane Irma is now pushing maximum wind speeds of up to 185 mph (297.7 km/h).

NOAA NHC Hurricane Irma path update: Latest wind map

Noon CDT: According to sources in Florida Keys, tourists are going to start being moved out from the islands tomorrow morning. WATCH: HURRICANE IRMA LIVE STREAM 11am CDT: Tropical Storm Jose forms over the Atlantic Tropical Storm Jose has now formed over the Atlantic. Jose was located about 1,505 miles (2,420 km) east of the Lesser Antilles as of 10am CDT. The NHC said: “Interests in the Leeward Islands should monitor the future progress of Jose.” READ MORE: WILL JOSE BE THE NEXT HURRICANE IRMA? 10.45am CDT: Track takes Hurricane Irma 'near Florida Keys on Saturday night' Tom Terry, chief meteorologist at WFTV/WRDQ, tweeted: “Winds are now UP to 180 mph in Irma. The track takes it near the Florida Keys on Saturday night.”

NOAA NHC Hurricane Irma path update: Latest storm track from the NOAA's NHC

10.35am CDT: 'Extremely dangerous core' of Irma to move over Leeward Islands tonight The NHC said: "On the forecast track, the extremely dangerous core of Irma will move over portions of the northern Leeward Islands tonight and early Wednesday." Irma's tropical storm force will arrive later today in the Leeward Islands and tomorrow morning in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Hurricane Irma could bring dangerous wind, storm surge and rainfall to the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos on Thursday and Friday. The NHC warned: "Irma could directly affect the remainder of the Bahamas and Cuba as an extremely dangerous major hurricane later this week."

UW CIMSS Hurricane Irma is coming close to the wind speed record set by Hurricane Allen in 1980

10.30am CDT: ‘Potentially catastrophic’ hurricane nears Leeward Islands The NHC warned: “Irma is a potentially catastrophic category 5 hurricane and will bring life-threatening wind, storm surge, and rainfall hazards to portions of the northeastern Leeward Islands beginning later today and the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico beginning tomorrow.” 10.05am CDT: Hurricane Irma winds hit 180 mph - near all-time record Hurricane Irma now has maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (290 km/h), while its minimal central pressure is 931 mb. Irma is just 10 mph (16 km/h) away from reaching the 190 mph (305 km/h) record set by Hurricane Allen in 1980. 10am CDT: Hurricane Irma closer to Antigua and Barbuda Hurricane Irma was located about 225 miles (365km) east of Antigua and 230 miles (370km) east of Barbuda in the middle of the Leeward Islands. Irma is moving west at 14 mph (22 km/h) and is forecast to turn west-northwest tonight as it hits northern the Leeward Islands.

9.40am CDT: Hurricane Irma to remain 'very intense' CBS Boston chief meteorologist Eric Fisher tweeted: “Nothing to weaken Irma in the days ahead except brief eyewall replacement cycles & *maybe* some land interaction. "Will remain very intense.” 9am CDT: 'Quite possible' Hurricane Irma could hit Florida - Three senarios Julian Heming, who works on the prediction of tropical cyclones for Met Office, said the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat and Guadeloupe are first in the firing line. Mr Heming said Hurricane Irma is then forecast to go across or close to the Virgin Islands, Hispaniola - which is divided into Haiti and Dominican Republic - and Cuba. He said: “That is really where it is going to track over the next two to three days. The big question is what happens next.” He confirmed that it is “quite possible” that Hurricane Irma could hit Florida, depending on when the hurricane turns northward. In one scenario, the hurricane could make impact on the southern tip of Florida, perhaps somewhere like Florida Keys or near Miami. Alternatively, Irma could stay off shore and move up the East Coast, putting the Carolinas at risk. There is also a chance that Hurricane Irma could “sneak through” the Strait of Florida and end up in the Gulf of Mexico.

8.45am CDT: Hurricane Irma 'beast mode' continues Meteorologist Ryan Maue tweeted: “Hurricane Irma 'Beast Mode' continues Tuesday morning with 150 knots winds ... that's 10 knots into Category 5.” 8.10am CDT: Irma is 'strongest in the Atlantic since 2007!” Tom Terry, chief meteorologist at WFTV/WRDQ, tweeted: “Irma is now a Category 5 hurricane - the strongest in the Atlantic since 2007!” 8am CDT: Hurricane Irma is as strong as Hurricane Katrina Philip Klotzbach, meteorologist at CSU, tweeted: “How strong is Irma? Its current intensity of 175 mph is the same as Hurricane Katrina (2005) at its max intensity.”

7.15am CDT: Irma to bring 'destructive waves' and flooding Dangerous storm surge and large breaking waves will raise water levels by as much as 11 feet along the coasts of the northern islands, causing coastal flooding. The British and US Virgin Islands could see up to 11 feet of water extra, while Puerto Rico's northern coast of could get up to four feet more of water.

7am CDT: NHC warns Irma is now ‘extremely dangerous’ category 5 hurricane A category 5 – the strongest on the Saffir-Simpson scale, is defined as: "Utterly catastrophic – buildings destroyed, roofs torn off." 6.45am CDT: Hurricane Irma nears Antigua and Barbuda Hurricane Irma was located about 270 miles (440km) east of Antigua and 280 miles (445km) east of Barbuda in the middle of the Leeward Islands. Irma is moving west at 14 mph (22 km/h) and is forecast to turn west-northwest tonight as it hits northern the Leeward Islands.

AFP Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale explained

6.45am CDT: Irma is now a category 5 hurricane with 175mph winds Irma has become a category 5 hurricane after winds reached 175 mph (280 km/h), surpassing the 157 mph (252 km/h) threshold for the category. NHC said: "NOAA and Air Force hurricane hunter aircraft data indicate Hurricane Irma has intensified into an extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane." 6.45am CDT: 'Increasing chance' of Hurricane Irma impacting Florida “There is an increasing chance of seeing some impacts from Irma in the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Keys later this week and this weekend. “In addition, rough surf and dangerous marine conditions will begin to affect the southeastern US coast by later this week." MODELS REVEAL FLORIDA THREAT

6.30am CDT: Hurricane Irma could hit Cuba Hurricane Irma is forecast to move “near or over” the northern Leeward Islands in the Caribbean tonight.

5.30am CDT: Puerto Rico under state of emergency Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello, who has issued a state of emergency, tweeted: “We have taken all the necessary steps to be alert. "We urge citizens to be alert and prepared. Agencies prepare for any eventuality. We have activated about 400 shelters for our citizens.” 5am CDT: Nevis Premier prays island will be spared ‘ravages’ of hurricane Vance Amory, Premier of Navis, said Irma could have an effect on the Caribbean island by Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. He said: “I would ask you, all of you, to take first of all precautions to make sure that you are safe; that your family is safe; that your property and your belongings are safe.” He added: “Pray that God will protect us from the ravages of Hurricane Irma.”

Met Office Hurricane Irma path update: Latest storm track from the Met Office

3am CDT: 'Dangerous' hurricane heading towards the Leeward Islands The NHC has warned that Hurricane Irma poses a 'serious threat' to Leeward Islands and preparations should now be rushed to completion. The latest update said: "Irma is expected to affect the northeastern Leeward Islands a dangerous major hurricane, accompanied by life-threatening wind, storm surge, and rainfall impacts. "Preparations should be rushed to completion, as tropical-storm force winds are expected to first arrive in the hurricane warning area later today."

NHC NOAA Hurricane Irma path update: Latest image of Hurricane Irma moving across the Atlantic

3.50am CDT Irma brings “Destructive winds, storm surge, dangerous surf, heavy rainfall and flash flooding’ The NWS warned: “Hurricane Irma is moving closer to the Caribbean. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico early Wednesday, with hurricane conditions arriving later that day. “Destructive winds, storm surge, dangerous surf, heavy rainfall and flash flooding are possible. There is an increasing chance of seeing impacts from Irma in parts of Florida later this week.” 3.45am CDT: Irma could make landfall near Miami in Florida The latest storm track shows Irma could hit Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, before heading towards Cuba by the end of the week. Uncertainty hangs over the path of the storm this weekend. Irma could turn towards Florida, perhaps making landfall near Miami, or it could move south of Cuba. It is also possible that Hurricane Irma could go back out to sea or move along the US coast and hit somewhere else in America.

NHC Hurricane Irma is heading towards Florida via the Caribbean

3.30am CDT: Hurricane Irma heading towards USA - Latest Met Office storm track The Met Office storm tracker shows that Hurricane Irma passing over the Caribbean islands and turning up towards the US. The storm track map should not be taken in isolation because it is only a 'single solution' from the latest run of the global model. 3am CDT: South Florida told to now is the time to prepare for hurricane NWS meteorologist Chuck Caracozza said: “For people in South Florida, now is the time to start preparing and getting those hurricane kits in order.” Mr Caracozza warned that Irma could become Category 5 as it nears the Bahamas and Cuba, adding: “It all depends on the path.”

Midnight CDT: The eye of Irma as hurricane 'wheeling and dealing' Meteorologist Ryan Maue‏ tweeted an image of Irma saying: "Something weird going on in the eye -- a tonsil. Storm is wheeling and dealing right now." 10pm CDT: US Virgin Island residents stock up on supplies Ahed Daas, a store owner in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, said customers have been stocking up on supplies such as water, canned products and batteries He said: "It's kind of dwindling down now, everybody's pretty much stocked up. You make sure you have fuel in your generator and hope it's not that bad when it does arrive."

9.50pm CDT: Donald Trump offers 'full resources' to respond to hurricane Florida Governor Rick Scott tweeted that Mr Trump has “offered the full resources of the federal government as Floridians prepare for Hurricane Irma”. 4.45pm CDT: Florida under state of emergency Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency in the state, saying: “Hurricane Irma is a major and life-threatening storm and Florida must be prepared. “I have continued to be briefed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management on Hurricane Irma and current forecast models have Florida in Irma's path - potentially impacting millions of Floridians." The storm is currently gaining speed as it makes its way across the Atlantic, potentially reaching Florida in the second hurricane strike on mainland US soil in recent days.

3.41pm CDT: The NHC has upgraded Irma to a category 4 hurricane. The NHC announced that Hurricane Irma has been upgraded to category 4 as it continues to strengthen as it heads toward the Leeward Islands. 2.50pm CDT: Puerto Rico declares state of emergency Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossell has now declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard in preparation for the arrival of Irma. He said: “Despite the economic challenges Puerto Rico is facing, the approved budget has $15 million for the emergency fund.”

The terrifying eye of Hurricane Irma Wed, September 6, 2017 Satellite images depict the eye of Hurricane Irma Play slideshow National Hurricane Centre 1 of 9 Hurricane Irma eye wall

The government has introduced a price freeze on basic necessities, including food and water, medicines, power generators and batteries. The island of about 3.4 million people has 456 emergency shelters prepared to house up to 62,100 people. 2.15pm CDT: Hurricane Irma COULD hit Florida A hurricane projection, created by meteorologist Mike Thomas, shows the hurricane crashing through the Caribbean before hitting Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. He said his Hurricane Irma projection was increasingly predicting “a major hurricane landfall just over two weeks after Harvey”.

9.20am CDT: Weather expert sees 'worrisome’ threat to USA Weather expert Dr Marshall Shepherd said Hurricane Irma is a 'grave threat' to the Caribbean and appears to be an ‘equally worrisome’ threat to the US mainland. “As the National Hurricane Center notes, it is too early to know the specific 'where and when' of downstream impacts on the US mainland," he wrote on the Forbes website. “However, the statement about models being clustered indicates that there is growing consensus on how meteorological patterns are setting up to steer the storm. “My meteorological ‘eye’ sees a threat to Florida to the Carolinas (and possibly even a slight chance of moving into the Gulf of Mexico).”

NHC Hurricane Irma path update: Latest marine forecast as Hurricane Irma heads towards the Caribbean

9.10am CDT: Hurricane Irma track guidance ‘shifts west’ In the latest NHC discussion, forecaster Robbie Berg said the hurricane would turn westward later today and then west-northwestward within 48 hours. He said: “It’s becoming increasingly likely that Irma would maintain a west-northwestward heading on days 3 through 5, and the track guidance shifted significantly westward on this cycle during that period. Remarkably, the track models are very tightly clustered through day 5, which increases the confidence in the westward shift of the latest NHC forecast.” 9am CDT: NHC forecasts 'dangerous seas' The NHC’s Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch (TAFB) said Hurricane Irma will bring “dangerous seas” across Lesser Antilles and Atlantic passages from Tuesday morning. The TAFB tweeted a marine forecast map and said there would be high seas between 12 and 18 ft (marked in orange) by Tuesday afternoon.

GEFS Hurricane Irma path update: Latest spaghetti model from GEFS

7am CDT: Hurricane Irma could hit Southeast USA WTTG FOX 5 meteorologist Mike Thomas tweeted: “With fresh hurricane hunter data, a bit more agreement from new models on Irma making landfall somewhere in the Southeast early next week.” 5.47am CDT: South Florida should 'closely monitor' Hurricane Irma Meteorologist Ryan Maue‏ tweeted: “Hurricane Irma continued to intensify this morning w/central pressure measured by aircraft at 951 mb. Winds should increase to Cat 4 today. He told South Florida to closely monitor progress of Hurricane Irma, adding: “GEFS model system continue trend west w/many solutions over south Florida & in eastern Gulf of Mexico.” The latest GEFS model shows that Hurricane Irma could head towards Florida. Spaghetti models are showing a spread of possible tracks because there is still uncertainty over where Irma will go next.

NOAA Hurricane Irma path update: Image shows Hurricane Irma moves across the Atlantic

3.55am CDT: Irma poses ‘serious threat’ to Caribbean and US AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said: “Irma is a serious threat for the Caribbean islands and United States.” Midnight CDT: Storm track shows 'worst case scenario' Meteorologist Ryan Maue‏ tweeted: “Gird up your loins when viewing tonight's GFS 00z Hurricane #Irma scenario. “GFS 00z track shifted considerably to west. Regardless of intensity issues, still a plausible track & worst case scenario.”

GFS Hurricane Irma path update: Latest GFS model