Puerto Rico’s in trouble. Hurricane Maria is whirling across the Caribbean; the island of Dominica was wrecked last night by the storm’s force. Puerto Ricans have been warned to evacuate or die.
2017’s hurricane season has been brutal. Multiple historic storms slammed into the U.S. mainland within a few days. Nobody knows if Maria will curve into the states after it slams into Puerto Rico, but it’s a distinct possibility.
Areas that are still recovering from Hurricane Irma are at risk of being torn apart by Maria.
Praying for Dominica, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Barbuda, anyone in path of #HurricaneMaria 😢 pic.twitter.com/PYoc0Wx1kA
— Kim Chernecky (@kchernecky) September 19, 2017
“Fierce winds and driving rain lashed mountainous Dominica for hours late Monday night. Its winds reached sustained maximum speeds of 160mph as it plowed into the tiny country – and forecasters warned it might become even stronger,” the Daily Mail writes.
“A police official on the island, Inspector Pellam Jno Baptiste, said late Monday night that there were no immediate reports of casualties but it was too dangerous for officers to do a full assessment as the storm raged outside.”
Hurricane Maria went from a category one to a category five storm in a matter of hours. Its vehemence was temporarily abated after it left Dominica before picking up steam again.
“You have to evacuate. Otherwise, you’re going to die,” Hector Pesquera, Puerto Rico’s public safety commissioner, said. “I don’t know how to make this any clearer.”
Maria’s expected to cause massive destruction. Yesterday Puerto Rican officials began rationing basic supplies.
#Dominica Prime Minister @SkerritR says he's been rescued after Cat 5 #HurricaneMaria tore roof off his flooded home. pic.twitter.com/meIEHwkk29
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) September 19, 2017
(Source: Daily Mail)