About 270 miles east of Antigua and Barbuda, Hurricane Irma is packing maximum sustained winds near 180 mph.

Irma has intensified into an extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane — the highest on the Saffir-Simpson scale — on route to the eastern Caribbean, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory, making it the most powerful hurricane in some 30 years.

About 270 miles east of Antigua and Barbuda, Hurricane Irma is packing maximum sustained winds of 175 mph, the Miami-based weather forecaster said.

It is forecast to remain a powerful category 4 or 5 hurricane during the next couple of days and will move near or over portions of the northern Leeward Islands Tuesday night and early Wednesday.

“Swells generated by Irma will affect the northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands during the next several days,” the NHC said.

As early as Friday, Antigua and Barbuda residents were stocking up on water, non-perishable foods and LPG for generators in the event of power cuts. Fishermen were observed hauling in and securing boats on a dock. There are reportedly 43 shelters across 17 districts in the twin-island state.

teleSUR English spoke to Director of News, Sports and Current Affairs of ABS TV/Radio Garfield Burford in Antigua and Barbuda and he says people are getting themselves ready. He says they've had a few short, sharp showers, but the storm is not expected to hit until later this evening, "It's three minutes to six o'clock in Antigua and Barbuda and we expect that certainly within the next three hours there will be the first signs of ...tropical storm force winds here in Antigua and Barbuda. Certainly between now and midnight we're expecting that the weater will deteriorate...early tomorrow morning we're expecting to see Hurricane Force winds."

Lynwall Spencer, who was helping to secure the vessels, said, "Last night, we left here at about 10 o'clock and we lifted about eight big boats. We came back this morning and we lifted between 45 and 50."

One fisherman, John Matthew, expressed gratitude to the government. "I would like to thank the government very much for all the help ... example for us fishermen to come together to help ourselves."

In the state of Florida, Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in all 67 counties in the state, saying, "In Florida, we always prepare for the worst and hope for the best, and while the exact path of Irma is not absolutely known at this time, we cannot afford to not be prepared."

Scott posted on his official Twitter account that federal support was available for the state. 

Schools in Broward County, in the city of Miami, will be closed on Thursday and Friday in preparing for the storm. A list of evacuation zones has been posted, Broward is not on that list at this time.

In Puerto Rico, Governor Ricardo Rossello also activated the national guard after the NHC declared a hurricane watch for the island. Rossello said government agencies in the U.S.-held territory were prepared to deal with any emergencies caused by the storm. "We have established protocols for the safety of all," he said at a news conference.

Multiple-day forecasts show Irma's path shifting towards the northwest before making its way to the north of the eastern Caribbean islands.

Antigua and Barbuda's weather service forecast said Irma will usher in heavy rain and high winds, causing choppy seas.

Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne urged people to take the necessary precautions. "The passage of a hurricane is not a matter to be taken lightly, but we must not panic," Browne said in a statement.

Dominican Republic Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo said drains were being cleared, adding that President Danilo Medina will meet with emergency agencies to discuss disaster preparation.