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. Puerto Rico avoided a direct hit from Irma two weeks ago as that storm skirted north, although there was damage. Mary Luz, 43, and her daughter Summer Torres Varela, 23, who has epilepsy, went to the medical shelter at Puerto Rico Convention Center in Isla Grande, near old San Juan.

Source: bd News24 September 20, 2017 03:56 UTC