Hurricane Irene is approaching Puerto Rico, with wind speeds reaching 120 miles per hour.

The National Hurricane Center in the United States announced at 5 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time that Hurricane Irene is moving west-northwest at 20 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center stated, "Hurricane Irene is rapidly strengthening. Outer rain bands are already affecting the northern areas of the Leeward Islands." The storm is currently classified as a Category 3 hurricane in the five-level classification system.