Omar strengthens to Category 3

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) - Forecasters urged people on the Virgin and northern Leeward Islands to rush to "protect life and property" as Hurricane Omar picked up speed in the Caribbean.

Omar's maximum sustained winds are 115 mph - up from 105 mph earlier in the day, the National Hurricane Center said. Omar strengthened into a Category 3 storm Wednesday night as it moved northeast at about 20 mph.

The center of Omar was expected to pass just east of the Virgin Islands overnight and near the northern Leeward Islands early Thursday morning.