Florida, Puerto Rico declare state of emergency as Irma strengthens to Category 4 hurricane

Hurricane Irma, barrelling toward theCaribbean and Florida, was upgraded to apowerful Category 4 storm on Monday as islands in its pathbraced for a possible onslaught.

Hurricane advisories were issued for territories that dotthe West Indies, including parts of the Leeward Islands, theBritish and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, in preparationfor the intensifying storm that could pummel the area withlife-threatening wind, storm surges and torrential rain byTuesday evening, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Puerto Rico Gov.Ricardo Rossellodeclared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard on Monday in preparation for the landfall of Irma as it was upgraded.

• Hurricane Irma strengthens to Category 3 over eastern Atlantic

"Despite the economic challenges Puerto Rico is facing, the approved budget has $15 million for the emergency fund,"Rossellosaid in a statement.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott also declared a state of emergency on Monday, pressing the need for his state to get ready for Irma.

"Hurricane Irma is a major and life-threatening storm and Florida must be prepared," Scott said in a statement.

"This state of emergency allows our emergency management officials to act swiftly in the best interest of Floridians without the burden of bureaucracy or red tape."

Irmais set to hit the Puerto Ricoon Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC)said.

The NHChad forecastedIrma would strengthen on Tuesday night, but it said Monday it had developed into a Category 4 hurricane.

To help residents prepare for the storm, the Puerto Rican government activated a price freeze on basic necessities, including food and water, medicines, power generators and batteries.

The U.S. island territory, home to about 3.4 million people,has 456 emergency shelters prepared to house up to 62,100people.

Telemundo TV station WIPR in Puerto Rico showed long linesof shoppers stocking up on bottled water, flashlights,batteries, generators, food and other items.

The storm will be the second powerful hurricane to thrash the United States and its territories in as many weeks.

Where and how strong is Hurricane Irma now?

7 years ago

Duration 2:00

CBC Meterologist Johanna Wagstaffe has the latest update on Hurricane Irma as it makes its way westward across the Atlantic.

Residents in Texas and Louisiana are still reeling from the devastating effects of deadly Hurricane Harvey, which dumped several feet of rain and destroyed tens of thousands of homes and businesses when it landed on Aug. 25.

The intensifying Hurricane Irma threatens to pummel the Caribbean, Florida and the U.S. East Coast, according to the NHC, which cautioned that it was still too early to forecast its exact path or what effects it might have on the continental U.S.

"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 U.S. coast by later this week," the centre said.