WATCH: Hurricane Irma strengthens to Category 4

MIAMI — 2:20 a.m. Sunday

Hurricane Irma has regained Category 4 strength as it moves toward Florida, where it’s feared to make a devastating hit.

Irma’s maximum sustained winds increased early Sunday to near 130 mph and it’s expected to gain a little more strength as it moves through the Straits of Florida and remain a powerful hurricane as it approaches Florida.

Irma is centered about 70 miles south-southeast of Key West, Florida, and is moving northwest near 6 mph.

11 p.m. Saturday Update

Hurricane Irma has once again shifted slightly to the west as it continues it path to Florida.

The Category 3 storm is slowly moving away from Cuba at 6 mph with wind speeds at 120 mph.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says wind gusts near hurricane strength have been recorded in the Florida Keys as the center of Irma moves closer to the state.

WFTV meterologist George Waldenberger said the storm is forecast to remain a Category 3 as it batters the Keys early Sunday.

Although the storm's track shifted slightly west, it will still have major impacts to the west coast of Florida.

Central Florida is still expected to feel the impacts of Irma.

The National Weather Service put Brevard and Osceola counties under a tornado watch until noon Sunday.

8 p.m. Saturday update 

Hurricane Irma's winds have slowed down to 120 mph as it moves away from Cuba and toward Florida, but it's already showing signs of regaining its previous powerhouse strength and becoming better organized.

The storm, which remains at a Category 3, is moving north at 7 mph and is 110 miles southeast of Key West.

The center of Hurricane Irma has cleared the Cuban coast and has entered the Florida Straits, where water of nearly 90 degrees will likely allow the hurricane to intensify to a Category 4 before making landfall across the Florida Keys.

The Keys is already experiencing sustained tropical-storm-force winds.

5 p.m. Saturday update

The eye of Hurricane Irma is beginning to move slowly away from the coast of Cuba while weather is deteriorating in South Florida, Channel 9 forecasters say.

Major hurricane-force winds are expected over the Florida Keys.

The Category 3 storm has started its turn to the north at 9 mph with 125 mph winds.

A storm surge warning is in effect from Brevard County to the South Carolina coast.  

South Florida is experiencing strong wind gusts. Winds in Fort Lauderdale have reached 70 mph.

Hurricane-force winds extend 70 miles outward from the storm, while tropical-storm-force winds extend 195 miles outward from the center.

"The biggest threat with this storm is the wind," said Channel 9 digital certified meteorologist Irene Sans. "This is a prolonged wind event which will produce extensive power outages and downed trees. Also, Central Florida has a high risk of tornado development which will be increasing starting tonight through Monday morning."

Conditions will continue to deteriorate across Central Florida through the rest of Saturday. Weather conditions will worsen by Sunday afternoon

2 p.m. Saturday update

Hurricane Irma is lingering over the northern coast of Cuba as the Category 3 storm moves west at 9 mph, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Saturday afternoon.

The NHC said the storm is forecast to bring hurricane force winds over the Florida Keys at daybreak.

Irma continues to have maximum sustained winds of 125 mph and is about 145 miles southeast of Key West.

Download the free WFTV weather app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the storm's progression. Read more hurricane stories in the Eye on the Tropics section.

11 a.m. Saturday update

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Saturday morning that Hurricane Irma continues to pound the northern coast of Cuba as the Category 3 storm moves west at 9 mph.

Although Cuba's terrain has weakened Irma, the dangerous storm is expected to regain strength as it moves toward Miami and the Florida Keys, the NHC said.

Irma has maximum sustained winds of 125 mph and is about 175 miles southeast of Key West.

Channel 9 certified meteorologist Brian Shields said Central Florida's tornado threat will be more severe Sunday and Monday because the storm is forecast to make landfall near Fort Myers and Tampa.

"Hurricane warnings are now up all across Central Florida," Shields said. "Continue to prepare for hurricane and tropical storm conditions."

Shields said conditions will deteriorate through Sunday, especially late in the day. He urged residents to complete their preparations by 5 p.m. Friday.

Curfews have been issued for Volusia County and parts of Flagler County. Click here to read when they go into effect.

Download the free WFTV weather app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the storm's progression. Read more hurricane stories in the Eye on the Tropics section.

8 a.m. Saturday update

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Saturday morning that the eye of Hurricane Irma is moving west at 12 mph over Cuba's northern coast.

Although Cuba's terrain has weakened Irma, the Category 4 storm is expected to regain strength, the NHC said.

Irma has maximum sustained winds of 130 mph and is about 225 miles south-southeast of Miami.

Channel 9 certified meteorologist Brian Shields said Central Florida's tornado threat will be more severe Sunday and Monday because the storm is forecast to make landfall near Fort Myers and Tampa.

"At this point, there are many variables with Irma," Shields said. "It might shift more west. It might shift more east. We will not know until it does what it wants to do."

Download the free WFTV weather app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the storm's progression. Read more hurricane stories in the Eye on the Tropics section.

5 a.m. Saturday update

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said early Saturday that the eye of Hurricane Irma is moving west-northwest at 12 mph over Cuba's Sabana-Camagüey archipelago.

The Category 4 storm has maximum sustained winds of 155 mph and is about 245 miles south-southeast of Miami.

Irma is expected to make landfall in Florida as an extremely dangerous hurricane, and will bring life-threatening winds to much of the state, regardless of the exact track of the center, the NHC said.

Channel 9 certified meteorologist Brian Shields said Central Florida residents should complete preparations and take shelter by 5 p.m. Saturday.

Residents should sleep downstairs and away from windows, Shields said.

The storm's rain bands are forecast to reach the region by Saturday night, but the most dangerous conditions are expected between Sunday evening and Monday morning.

The storm is expected to topple trees and cause widespread power outages.

Brevard County Emergency Management said power outages have already been reported in Brevard County due to strengthening winds.

Forecasters said life-threatening storm surge inundation is possible in portions of Central and South Florida, including the Florida Keys during the next 36 hours.

Irma is expected to produce very heavy rain and inland flooding. Rainfall of 8 to 15 inches, with isolated amounts of 20 inches, is expected in the Florida Keys and much of the Florida peninsula through Tuesday night.

In the Gulf of Mexico, Tropical Storm Katia made landfall north of Tecolutla, Mexico. Katia, which was downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane, has winds of 40 mph.

In the Atlantic, Hurricane Jose has almost hit Category 5 strength, with tops winds of 150 mph. Jose is about 190 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands.

Download the free WFTV weather app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the storm's progression. Read more hurricane stories in the Eye on the Tropics section.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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