Maria Threatens the Virgin Islands

Hurricane Maria strengthened to a major Category 3 hurricane this morning with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. The U.S. Virgin Islands are now under a Hurricane Warning and it is expected that warnings will be issued later today for Puerto Rico.

Maria is expected to impact the Leeward islands late tonight and tomorrow with very strong winds, a storm surge of 6-9 feet, and up to 20″ of rain for the central and southern Leeward islands.

Maria will then move towards the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Conditions are favorable for some intensification. Maria could reach Category 4 intensity by this time.

Stay tuned for updates.