Hurricane 1 category Maria continues to strengthen as it approaches the Small Antilles, virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Tomorrow it may reach the shore as the hurricane 2nd category, and by mid-week – will increase to 3 minutes.
Forecasters are talking about a small probability that the storm will reach the intensity of the Irma by the time it approaches land. But the damage from Maria can be no less: the storm is gaining great momentum, and this means that the residents and the authorities little time to prepare.
On Monday will be visible high waves on the Eastern beaches of the leeward Islands. And torrential rains and damaging winds will strike land by Tuesday.
Some Islands, which pardoned Irma, including Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Dominica and Martinique, you can get a direct hit from Mary.
Hurricane Maria is heading towards the Leeward Islands and will likely become a major hurricane tonight or early Tuesday. #Maria #tropics pic.twitter.com/5FQdVASJly
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) September 18, 2017
«A large amount of precipitation (100-200 mm) and storm surge will cause flooding,» said AccuWeather meteorologist Jordan Court. The gravity of the situation will depend on the exact route a storm through the lesser Antilles.
«Due to the fact that Irma has destroyed much of the vegetation on the Northern leeward and virgin Islands, there is a much greater risk of flash floods and mudslides,» said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
Those who were left homeless and are not able to leave the island will be at the mercy of wind and rain. Trash and debris are a danger during a storm, threatening to cause bodily injury to anyone who is on the street.
The biggest damage she might cause Puerto Rico and the virgin Islands, because to them she gets like a hurricane 3 category. This could be the worst hurricane for Puerto Rico in 1928. The Governor of the country Ricardo Rossello said that the government is working to finalize the plan of preparation for the approaching disaster.
Nos acompaña Alejandro De La Campa @femaregion2 para ultimar detalles de la preparación gubernamental. #MariaPR pic.twitter.com/0PlGaJVw57
— Ricardo Rossello (@ricardorossello) September 17, 2017
At a press conference Saturday, the Governor of the virgin Islands Kenneth MAPP warned residents that they should be ready to Mary that hit the Islands after Irma.
It is too early to talk about the impact of Mary in the United States. Over the coming weeks, meteorologists will follow the route of the hurricane, and its movement along the coast of the Persian Gulf.
