Irma rapidly intensifies into Category 3 hurricane

FORT MYERS, Fla. Hurricane Irma continues to quickly gather strength, the National Hurricane Center said.

Irma has maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, making it a Category 3, the hurricane center said in its 11 p.m. advisory. That’s a 45 mph jump from the 5 a.m. advisory.

The system is about 775 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands, and is moving west-northwest at 12 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.

Irma is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through the weekend, according to the hurricane center. It’s forecast to become a Category 4 by next week.

It remains unclear whether it will affect Florida.

“Don’t panic, just watch and wait,” WINK Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell said.

No coastal watches or warnings are in effect at this point, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Click here for hurricane preparedness information on WINK News Hurricane Central.