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Maria Intensifies To A Category 5 Hurricane

Maria Intensifies To A Category 5 Hurricane

September 18, 20174882Views

Maria has intensified to a dangerous category 5 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale.   Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the BVI.

At 8:00 P.M., the eye of Hurricane Maria was located near latitude 15.3 degrees North, longitude 6112 degrees West.

Maria is moving toward the west-northwest near 9 miles per hour (mph) and this general motion is expected to continue through Wednesday.

On the forecast track, the core of Maria will move near Dominica and the adjacent Leeward Islands during the next few hours then over the extreme north eastern Caribbean Sea the remainder of tonight and Tuesday.  Maria will approach Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 160 mph with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is possible tonight, but some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles.

The estimated minimum central pressure based on Air Force Hurricane Hunter data is 925 millibars.

Hurricane conditions are forecast to spread through the remainder of the hurricane warning area tonight through Wednesday.

STORM SURGE:  A dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves will raise water levels by as much as 6 to 9 feet above normal tide levels in the hurricane warning area near where the center of Maria moves across the Leeward Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

Rainfall: Maria is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 15 inches and isolated 20 inches across the British Virgin Islands.

Rainfall could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.

All persons in the BVI are urged to monitor the movement of Maria closely and take action to protect life and property

Please continue to monitor local media stations, DDM’s website (bviddm.com) and Facebook at BVIDDM for regular updates.

Disclaimer: The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is not an official Meteorological Office. The Information disseminated by the Department is gathered from a number of professional sources used or contracted by the DDM to provide such information. This information is to be used as a guide by anyone who has interest in local weather conditions. By no means can the DDM or the BVI Government be held accountable by anyone who uses this information appropriately for legal evidence or in justification of any decision which may result in the loss of finances, property or life.