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The Carnival Cruise Line has diverted four ships carrying more than 13,000 passengers to maintain a \"safe distance\" from Irma, a spokesperson said.

\"The safety of our guests and team members is our first priority,\" the company said in a statement. \"We will continue to make adjustments as necessary.\"

The current NHC storm track puts Irma near the Leeward Islands, including Antigua and Barbuda, on Tuesday.

On the nearby island of Anguilla, which Irma is forecast to move over Wednesday morning, the Department of Disaster Management on Tuesday warned of flash floods and mudslides. Four shelters were scheduled to be opened as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are forecast to see deteriorating conditions throughout the day on Wednesday with the worst of the rain and wind arriving Wednesday night.

The storm is expected to pass north of Puerto Rico Wednesday night into early Thursday morning.

In Puerto Rico, a state of emergency has been declared, activating the National Guard as the U.S. territory prepares the storm, which the governor on Tuesday called unprecedented.

\"This is the time to take action,\" the governor said Tuesday.

\"PHOTO:
Alvin Baez/Reuters
PHOTO: Workers put boats on dry docks in preparation, as Hurricane Irma, barreling towards the Caribbean and the southern United States, was upgraded to a Category 4 storm, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sept. 4, 2017.
>
\"PHOTO:
Alvin Baez/Reuters
PHOTO: Customers walk near empty shelves that are normally filled with bottles of water after Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello declared a state of emergency in preparation for Hurricane Irma, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sept. 4, 2017.
>

Héctor Pesquera, the superintendent of the Puerto Rico police, said at least 14 hours of wind and rain is expected, calling the storm more dangerous than Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall in Texas Aug. 25 as a Category 4 storm.

Rossello warned that emergency services will stop when winds reach 50 mph.

Shelters are being opened in preparation for the storm, and the governor said all those who have vulnerable homes or flood prone areas need to start evacuation plans and head to shelters.

The governor has canceled classes for Tuesday and declared a half-day of work.

ABC News' Ginger Zee, Gio Benitez, Max Golembo, Dan Peck, Erin Dooley and Josh Hoyos contributed to this report.

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