Hurricane Irma now Category Five storm

The most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricane in recorded history has made its first landfall in the islands of the northeast Caribbean before possibly heading for Florida over the weekend.

(NOAA), Hurricane Irma, a potentially catastrophic category 5 hurricane, moves westward, Tuesday morning, Sept. 5, 2017. (AAP) Source: AAP

The most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricane in recorded history has made its first landfall in the islands of the northeast Caribbean.

The National Weather Service says the eye of the Category 5 storm passed over the island of Barbuda early on Wednesday.

The U-S' National Hurricane Centre says Irma has sustained winds of around 295 km an hour, and is heading towards Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba before possibly heading for Florida over the weekend.

Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency in all 67 counties of the state.