U.S. forecasters say Gustav has returned to hurricane strength as the storm crosses the Caribbean towards the Gulf of Mexico.

Gustav was expected to pass near or over the Cayman Islands later Friday and western Cuba on Saturday. Forecasters say the storm that has already caused at least 72 deaths could produce more than half a meter of rain in some areas.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said Gustav had sustained winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour mid-afternoon Friday. The center says the Category one storm is likely to grow into a major hurricane over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.