Maria an ‘extremely dangerous’ hurricane
Hurricane Maria has strengthened to an “extremely dangerous” category four hurricane, US forecasters say, as it heads towards the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean.
It is due to hit the islands on Monday night local time.
Maria is moving roughly along the same path as Irma, the hurricane that devastated the region this month.
A hurricane watch is in effect for Puerto Rico, St Martin, St Barts, Saba, St Eustatius and Anguilla.
Hurricane warnings have been issued for Guadeloupe, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Martinique, St Lucia and the US and British Virgin Islands.
Some of these islands are still recovering after being hit by Hurricane Irma – a category five hurricane which left at least 37 people dead and caused billions of dollars’ worth of damage.
The Leeward Islands – where Maria will first strike – includes Antigua and Barbuda. The latter island was evacuated after being devastated by Hurricane Irma.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned that heavy rainfall caused by the hurricane “could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides”.
It also forecasts a maximum potential rainfall of 51cm (20in) in some areas of the central and southern Leeward Islands – including Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands – through to Wednesday night.
“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the NHC said.
In the French territory of Guadeloupe, schools, businesses and government buildings have all been closed and severe flooding is predicted in low-lying parts of the islands.
Preparations have also begun in Puerto Rico, where Maria is expected to bring strong winds on Tuesday.
