At 1100 pm the center of Tropical Storm Maria was located near latitude
15.1 north…longitude 59.5 west or about 204 miles southeast of Antigua
Maria is moving toward the west-northwest near 14 mph. This general
motion is expected to continue tonight with a gradual turn toward the northwest
expected on Saturday.
On the forecast track, tropical storm conditions are expected to reach
Antigua around 2:00 am Saturday morning and spread to Barbuda shortly after and
are expected to continue to affect the islands till late Saturday afternoon.
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Reports from
an air force reserve hurricane hunter aircraft indicate that the circulation of
Maria remains disorganized. Little change in strength is expected tonight however
slow strengthening is possible starting on Saturday.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles mainly to the
northeast of the center.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb.
Maria has a large associated cloud mass stretching several hundred miles
east of its centre and is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 4 to
8 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches over the islands during its
passage. Because of expected heavy rain the flashflood warning is extended
through 4 pm Saturday. Residents in low lying and flood prone areas should move
to higher ground and safer location. Residents near slopes should guard against
mudslides
Mariners should complete safe anchorage. Seas are deteriorating rapidly
and will peak near 15 feet in the next 24 hours as the storm draws near.
All residents are urged to rush preparedness to completion and monitor
the movement of Maria closely and act to protect life and property.
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