The region was punched just days ago by Hurricane Irma, which ranked as one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record. Maria will cross Puerto Rico on Wednesday and pass just north of the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic on Wednesday night and Thursday, the NHC said. Maria was expected to remain an extremely dangerous Category 4 or 5 hurricane as it moved near or over the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, the NHC said. Maria was predicted to be the worst storm to hit St Croix since Hugo, a Category 4 storm, in 1989. Puerto Rico avoided a direct hit from Irma two weeks ago as that storm skirted north, although there was damage.

Source: Dhaka Tribune September 20, 2017 03:56 UTC