SOUTHEASTERN U.S. - Mere days after Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc in Houston, a second major storm is gaining strength over the Atlantic Ocean, poised to threaten the Southeastern United States. With top winds of 185 mph recorded on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg, Hurricane Irma is currently classified as a Category 5 storm, topping out the Saffir-Simpson scale.

“Irma is an extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane,” according to the National Hurricane Center. “Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two, but Irma is forecast to remain a powerful category 4 or 5 hurricane during the next couple of days.”

According to AccuWeather, Hurricane Irma is the strongest storm in the Atlantic Basin since Wilma in 2005. Currently, the storm is working along a path in islands south of Florida. Irma is expected to have the greatest impact on Thursday and Thursday night. Fluctuations in Irma’s strength and path are anticipated. According to the report, currently the storm is projected to potentially make landfall on the southern tip of Florida over the weekend, with state residents beginning emergency preparations, particularly in light of the recent devastation from Hurricane Harvey.

Will Irma follow the projected path? Follow along with AndNowUKnow as we bring you the latest.