Holidaymakers in parts of the Caribbean are being urged to stock up on bottled water and non-perishable foods as Hurricane Matthew, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in recent years, heads towards Jamaica, Haiti and eastern Cuba.
Tourists and residents are being told to heed all warnings, secure outdoor items or bring them inside to prevent them from becoming deadly projectiles.
Accuweather meteorologists say the hurricane will unleash flooding rain, destructive winds and an inundating storm surge through Tuesday, posing severe risks to lives and property across Jamaica, eastern Cuba and Haiti.
"This is a dangerous system and there is a significant threat to life and property for all areas in the vicinity of it," said Evan Duffey.
On Friday night, Matthew briefly became the first Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic Basin since Hurricane Felix in 2007.
After moving away from the Caribbean, Matthew threatens to approach the US East Coast during the middle and latter half of this week.
Hurricane conditions are expected to spread into the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Tuesday night into Thursday.
"Wind damage is expected to be widespread, and in western Haiti, far eastern Cuba, and near the system in the Bahamas it may be catastrophic," added Duffey.
Cruise ships have been warned to divert their sailings to avoid the hurricane’s path.
Carnival Elation has cancelled calls at Nassau in the Bahamas and at the private island of Half Moon Cay and will instead call at Key West in Florida and Freeport.
Royal Caribbean has switched itineraries for Allure of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas, while Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises are also preparing contingency plans.
Southwest Airlines, American, Delta, JetBlue and Spirit Airlines have been waiving change fees for flights to and from affected destinations.
