Paloma becomes dangerous major hurricane off Grand Cayman

Paloma has grown to a dangerous major hurricane with 115 mph (185 kph) top winds as it lashes the Cayman Islands. Winds that strong mean that Paloma is now a Category 3 storm. The center of the storm is expected to pass near the Cayman Islands Friday night or early Saturday, then move onto the central coast of Cuba. At 7 p.m. EST (0000 GMT), the center of Paloma was about 30 miles south of Grand Cayman and moving northeast at 6 mph (9.6 kph). The Cayman Islands government urged residents to stay off the streets, and a hurricane warning is in effect. A hurricane warning is also in effect for several Cuban provinces.