Miami, Florida - Hurricane Omar swept across the northern Leeward Islands after strengthening to a category 3 storm in the Caribbean with maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometres per hour and higher gusts, the National Hurricane Center in the United States said.

It gained in intensity on the five-step Saffir-Simpson Scale before hitting the Antilles and beginning its march late Wednesday across the Leeward Islands.

Miami/Kingston/Havana  - Tropical Storm Gustav gained strength Thursday with sustained winds of 110 kilometres per hour as it moved away from Cuba and toward Jamaica.

"On this track the centre of Gustav will move near or over Jamaica today and tonight (Thursday) and near or over the Cayman Islands Friday night," the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said.

Jamaican authorities have issued a hurricane warning, and the Miami-based NHC has warned that "Gustav could become a hurricane before moving over Jamaica."

Miami  - Hurricane Gustav had gathered strength early Tuesday in the Caribbean Sea and was threatening Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Jamaica, forecasters said.

Gustav could produce 10 to 20 centimetres of rain over Hispaniola, eastern Cuba and Jamaica, with some areas receiving up to 50 centimetres, the US National Hurricane Centre in Miami said.

"These rains will likely produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides," its latest report said.

Miami  - At least six people have died in the US state of Florida, which has been drenched by monsoon-like rains because of Tropical Storm Fay, officials said Friday.

The deaths were caused by drownings and car accidents, Florida Governor Charlie Crist said.

The National Guard was involved in rescue operations in the northern coastal city of Melbourne. Residents claimed to have seen alligators swimming in the muddy waters that swirled around their homes.

Miami - The presence of actor Woody Harrelson and Hollywood friend Owen