Hurricane Paloma, the fifth major Atlantic hurricane this year, has been upgraded to a Category 4 storm after it's strength intensified and is now
considered "extremely dangerous" with maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour with even higher gusts.

Paloma was located about 110 miles north-northeast of Grand Cayman Island and about 165 miles southwest of Camaguey, Cuba at 7:00 AM EST on Saturday. The storm is traveling at about 8 miles per hour and is expected to stay on a northeast track through Sunday.

Officials at the National Hurricane Center predict that Paloma should approach the shores of Central Cuba late tonight or early tomorrow.

The storm brought winds and rains to the Cayman Islands and is now headed towards Cuba. A hurricane warning remains in affect for the
Caymans and a hurricane warning has been issued for the Cuban provinces of Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey and Las Tunas. Hurricane conditions could impact these areas in the next 24 hours. Residents are advised to secure property and seek safe shelter from the storm.

A tropical storm warning and hurricane watch was issued for the Cuban province of Granma. Holguin and Santiago de Cuba are also under a tropical storm warning, meaning storm conditions could impact the advised areas within the next 24-36 hours.

Tropical storm watches have been issued for the central islands of the Bahamas, including Kat Island, the Exumas, San Salvador, Long Island and Rum Cay.

Residents of other parts of Cuba, Jamaica and the Bahamas are advised to watch local weather for up to date information on the powerful storm.

Hurricane Paloma is expected to bring storm surge flooding, dangerous and powerful waves, high winds and rain accumulations of 5 to 10 inches.

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