GEORGETOWN, CAYMAN ISLANDS (AP) -- Forecasters say Hurricane Paloma has strengthened into an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm with top sustained winds of 135 mph (215 kmh).

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami say data from a hurricane hunter aircraft indicated that shortly before 5 a.m. EST the storm's intensity increased to a Category 4, which has top sustained winds of at least 131 mph.

The late-season storm has brought wind and rain to the Cayman Islands, knocking down trees and signs.

Paloma is headed toward Cuba and could strike the hurricane-ravaged island Saturday.

Hurricanes Ike and Gustav struck the communist island in late August and together caused an estimated $9.4 billion in damage.

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