Hurricane Paloma has strengthened to a Category Two storm and is lashing the Cayman Islands with winds of up to 165km/h (105mph), authorities say.
Hurricane Paloma has strengthened to a Category Three storm and is lashing the Cayman Islands with winds of up to 185km/h (115mph), authorities say.
At 2100GMT the storm was 70km (40 miles) south of Grand Cayman and 465km (290 miles) south-west of Cuba, said the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
At 2300GMT the storm was 50km (30 miles) south of Grand Cayman and 440km (275 miles) south-west of Cuba, said the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Paloma is expected to strengthen into a Category Three hurricane as it moves towards Cuba, bringing storm surges.
It said Paloma could strengthen further as it moved towards Cuba, bringing storm surges.
The NHC predicts the storm will strike Cuba's southern coast late on Saturday.
The NHC predicts the storm will strike Cuba's southern coast late on Saturday.
It has warned that flash floods and mudslides are likely, as well as storm surges 1.5m to 2m above normal tidal levels, with "large and dangerous battering waves".
It has warned that flash floods and mudslides are likely, as well as storm surges 1.5m to 2m above normal tidal levels, with "large and dangerous battering waves".
Paloma is the 16th storm of the Atlantic storm season and the eighth hurricane. It has already brought heavy rain to parts of Honduras and Nicaragua.
Paloma is the 16th storm of the Atlantic storm season and the eighth hurricane. It has already brought heavy rain to parts of Honduras and Nicaragua.
'No complacency'
'No complacency'
Residents of the Caymans, Cuba and Jamaica have all been put on alert.
Residents of the Caymans, Cuba and Jamaica have all been put on alert.
Authorities in the Cayman Islands urged residents not to leave storm preparations to the last minute.
Authorities in the Cayman Islands urged residents not to leave storm preparations to the last minute.
"History has taught us that we cannot afford complacency during hurricane season, for conditions can rapidly deteriorate," said the islands' top elected official, Kurt Tibbetts.
"History has taught us that we cannot afford complacency during hurricane season, for conditions can rapidly deteriorate," said the islands' top elected official, Kurt Tibbetts.
In Cuba, the government has issued hurricane warnings for the provinces of Sancti Spiritus, Ciego De Avila, Camaguey and Las Tunas.
In Cuba, the government has issued hurricane warnings for the provinces of Sancti Spiritus, Ciego De Avila, Camaguey and Las Tunas.
Tropical storm warnings have also been issued for Granma province.
Tropical storm warnings have also been issued for Granma province.
Officials in every province were working to "guarantee the protection of the public and economic resources", the Civil Defence said.
Officials in every province were working to "guarantee the protection of the public and economic resources", the Civil Defence said.
Paloma would be the fifth hurricane to hit Cuba this season.
Paloma would be the fifth hurricane to hit Cuba this season.
Gustav and Ike, which struck Cuba on 30 August and 9 September respectively, caused billions of dollars worth of damage and destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes.
Gustav and Ike, which struck Cuba on 30 August and 9 September respectively, caused billions of dollars worth of damage and destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes.
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