MIAMI -- The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Hurricane Ike has intensified to a dangerous Category 4 storm with winds sustained at 135 mph.

Winds had diminished earlier Saturday but gathered strength by 5 p.m. EDT. Ike is expected to pummel the low-lying British territory of Turks and Caicos first.

The governments of the Bahamas and Cuba have issued hurricane warnings.

Forecasters say the storm is likely to strengthen as it approaches southern Florida by Monday.