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Hurricane Maria: Storm grows in force to category 5 as Caribbean battered again – live Hurricane Maria: Storm grows in force to category 5 as Caribbean battered again – live
(35 minutes later)
3.02pm BST
15:02
Lines of communications with Dominica still appear to be down after Maria hit.
Chris Austin, head of the UK’s taskforce in the region, says the Caribbean regional agency for disaster has pre-stocked supplies on the island. In a video update he said the UK would be looking to help reinforce those supplies.
WATCH: Chris Austin, Head of UK Taskforce on Hurricanes #Irma & #Maria, updates on the current situation in the Caribbean & #UKaid response pic.twitter.com/EFoSbKLjPD
Updated
at 3.07pm BST
2.47pm BST
14:47
What we know so far
Hurricane Maria is heading across the Caribbean Sea as a category 5 storm towards Montserrat, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico after causing widespread damage on the island of Dominica.
Winds of up to 160mph (260km/h) and heavy rains lashed Dominica as the eye of the hurricane passed directly across it late on Monday. The prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit – who had to be rescued from his flooded home – said the island had “lost all that money can buy”. He added: “My greatest fear for the morning is that we will wake to news of serious physical injury and possible deaths as a result of likely landslides triggered by persistent rains.”
There has been no official word from Dominica since Skerrit said there was widespread damage, with roofs swept from buildings. Reports said Princess Margaret hospital in Roseau, the capital, was battered and radio stations stopped broadcasting as the storm crashed over the island of 72,000 people.
The storm briefly dipped to a category 4 before regaining strength to a category 5. On the forecast track, the eye of Maria will move over the north-eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday, and approach the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico tonight and Wednesday.
A curfew has been imposed on the British Virgin Islands where relief efforts from Hurricane Irma have been halted. The governor, Gus Jaspert, said debris left by Hurricane Irma was being cleared so that it did not “turn into missiles flying at buildings” during Hurricane Maria. “Our islands are extremely vulnerable right now,” prime minister Orlando Smith warned
The Foreign Office is warning against travelling to the BVI, Montserrat, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Puerto Rico is preparing for what could be the strongest hurricane to slam the island for almost a century. The governor, Ricardo Rosselló, urged islanders to find safe shelter. “All indications are that this is going to be devastating and catastrophic,” he told CNN.
Updated
at 2.58pm BST
1.55pm BST1.55pm BST
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Orlando Smith, the premier of the British Virgin Islands, has reminded islanders to stick to the curfew that has been in place since 6pm on Monday local time.Orlando Smith, the premier of the British Virgin Islands, has reminded islanders to stick to the curfew that has been in place since 6pm on Monday local time.
In an audio message on Monday he warned that debris from Hurricane Irma could become “dangerous projectiles” during Hurricane Maria.In an audio message on Monday he warned that debris from Hurricane Irma could become “dangerous projectiles” during Hurricane Maria.
“Our islands are extremely vulnerable right now,” Smith warned. He added: “I urge everyone to finalise their plans to be indoors for tonight’s curfew and remain there until an all-clear is given.”“Our islands are extremely vulnerable right now,” Smith warned. He added: “I urge everyone to finalise their plans to be indoors for tonight’s curfew and remain there until an all-clear is given.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.21pm BSTat 2.21pm BST
1.43pm BST1.43pm BST
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The US National Hurricane Centre has given a video update on the “potentially catastrophic” Hurricane Maria as it approaches Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Island of Saint Croix.The US National Hurricane Centre has given a video update on the “potentially catastrophic” Hurricane Maria as it approaches Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Island of Saint Croix.
“Everybody in those islands should have their preparations rushed to completion,” Mike Brennan, the NHC’s senior hurricane specialist, warns.“Everybody in those islands should have their preparations rushed to completion,” Mike Brennan, the NHC’s senior hurricane specialist, warns.
Watch on #Periscope: Live update from NHC on Hurricane Maria https://t.co/tPOIQ3J64IWatch on #Periscope: Live update from NHC on Hurricane Maria https://t.co/tPOIQ3J64I
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.29pm BSTat 2.29pm BST
1.06pm BST1.06pm BST
13:0613:06
There has been no more official word from Dominica since the prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, reported “widespread devastation” and fears of deaths from flooding and mudslides on Facebook earlier today.There has been no more official word from Dominica since the prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, reported “widespread devastation” and fears of deaths from flooding and mudslides on Facebook earlier today.
A police official on the island, Insp Pellam Jno Baptiste, said late on Monday there were no immediate reports of casualties but it was too dangerous for officers to check conditions. “Where we are, we can’t move,” he said in a brief phone interview with Associated Press.A police official on the island, Insp Pellam Jno Baptiste, said late on Monday there were no immediate reports of casualties but it was too dangerous for officers to check conditions. “Where we are, we can’t move,” he said in a brief phone interview with Associated Press.
The first unverified images and video of purported damage to Dominica are starting to emerge.The first unverified images and video of purported damage to Dominica are starting to emerge.
Category 5 #HurricaneMaria damage in #Dominica #hurricanemaria2017#PrayForDominica #DominicaStrong pic.twitter.com/0lOUxoAEpvCategory 5 #HurricaneMaria damage in #Dominica #hurricanemaria2017#PrayForDominica #DominicaStrong pic.twitter.com/0lOUxoAEpv
#HurricaneMaria in #Dominica #hurricanemaria2017#PrayForDominica #DominicaStrong pic.twitter.com/72mZo9O4XG#HurricaneMaria in #Dominica #hurricanemaria2017#PrayForDominica #DominicaStrong pic.twitter.com/72mZo9O4XG
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.32pm BSTat 1.32pm BST
12.21pm BST12.21pm BST
12:2112:21
Puerto Rico’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló, has warned of a potentially “devastating and catastrophic” impact as Hurricane Maria heads towards the island.Puerto Rico’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló, has warned of a potentially “devastating and catastrophic” impact as Hurricane Maria heads towards the island.
Speaking to CNN he said:Speaking to CNN he said:
We have 500 shelters. We have people moving to those shelters, and right now the priority is to make sure people are safe in Puerto Rico.We have 500 shelters. We have people moving to those shelters, and right now the priority is to make sure people are safe in Puerto Rico.
Complacency worries me the most. People might not understand the magnitude of this hurricane, or might think it won’t hit us as hard. All indications are that this is going to be devastating and catastrophic.Complacency worries me the most. People might not understand the magnitude of this hurricane, or might think it won’t hit us as hard. All indications are that this is going to be devastating and catastrophic.
Although the brunt of the hurricane will pass on Wednesday, we are going to start receiving a lot of rain and a lot of flurries from Tuesday up until even Saturday. This is going to be a very dangerous time.Although the brunt of the hurricane will pass on Wednesday, we are going to start receiving a lot of rain and a lot of flurries from Tuesday up until even Saturday. This is going to be a very dangerous time.
Infrastructure is going to be severely crippled. Our energy infrastructure is already weak, so we are going to suffer a major blow on that. Obviously some of the housing over here is inadequate, so anything that is not concrete you can expect that it is going to break or fall apart. Housing in the coastal lines is expected to have surges.Infrastructure is going to be severely crippled. Our energy infrastructure is already weak, so we are going to suffer a major blow on that. Obviously some of the housing over here is inadequate, so anything that is not concrete you can expect that it is going to break or fall apart. Housing in the coastal lines is expected to have surges.
Our petition to all the viewers that have family members in Puerto Rico is to let them know it is critical for them to find safe shelter.Our petition to all the viewers that have family members in Puerto Rico is to let them know it is critical for them to find safe shelter.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.32pm BSTat 1.32pm BST
11.59am BST11.59am BST
11:5911:59
What we know so farWhat we know so far
Hurricane Maria is heading across the Caribbean Sea as a category 5 storm towards Montserrat, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico after causing widespread damage on the island of Dominica.Hurricane Maria is heading across the Caribbean Sea as a category 5 storm towards Montserrat, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico after causing widespread damage on the island of Dominica.
Winds of up to 160mph (260km/h) and heavy rains lashed Dominica as the eye of the hurricane passed directly across it late on Monday. The prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit – who had to be rescued from his flooded home – said the island had “lost all that money can buy”. He added: “My greatest fear for the morning is that we will wake to news of serious physical injury and possible deaths as a result of likely landslides triggered by persistent rains.”Winds of up to 160mph (260km/h) and heavy rains lashed Dominica as the eye of the hurricane passed directly across it late on Monday. The prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit – who had to be rescued from his flooded home – said the island had “lost all that money can buy”. He added: “My greatest fear for the morning is that we will wake to news of serious physical injury and possible deaths as a result of likely landslides triggered by persistent rains.”
Skerrit said there was widespread damage, with roofs swept from buildings. Reports said Princess Margaret hospital in Roseau, the capital, was battered and radio stations stopped broadcasting as the storm crashed over the island of 72,000 people.Skerrit said there was widespread damage, with roofs swept from buildings. Reports said Princess Margaret hospital in Roseau, the capital, was battered and radio stations stopped broadcasting as the storm crashed over the island of 72,000 people.
Maria has since skirted to the south of the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe, heading towards Montserrat and St Kitts and Nevis.Maria has since skirted to the south of the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe, heading towards Montserrat and St Kitts and Nevis.
The storm briefly dipped to a category 4 before regaining strength to a category 5. On the forecast track, the eye of Maria will move over the north-eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday, and approach the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico tonight and Wednesday.The storm briefly dipped to a category 4 before regaining strength to a category 5. On the forecast track, the eye of Maria will move over the north-eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday, and approach the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico tonight and Wednesday.
A curfew has been imposed on the British Virgin Islands where relief efforts from Hurricane Irma have been halted. The governor, Gus Jaspert, said debris left by Hurricane Irma was being cleared so that it did not “turn into missiles flying at buildings” during Hurricane Maria.A curfew has been imposed on the British Virgin Islands where relief efforts from Hurricane Irma have been halted. The governor, Gus Jaspert, said debris left by Hurricane Irma was being cleared so that it did not “turn into missiles flying at buildings” during Hurricane Maria.
The Foreign Office is warning against travelling to the BVI, Montserrat, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands.The Foreign Office is warning against travelling to the BVI, Montserrat, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Puerto Rico is also preparing for what could be the strongest hurricane to slam the island for almost a century. On Monday, the public safety commissioner, Héctor Pesquera, told residents in homes not built to withstand such intense winds to move to shelters. “You have to evacuate otherwise you’re going to die. I don’t know how to make this any clearer,” he said.Puerto Rico is also preparing for what could be the strongest hurricane to slam the island for almost a century. On Monday, the public safety commissioner, Héctor Pesquera, told residents in homes not built to withstand such intense winds to move to shelters. “You have to evacuate otherwise you’re going to die. I don’t know how to make this any clearer,” he said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.22pm BSTat 12.22pm BST
11.43am BST11.43am BST
11:4311:43
The French island of Martinique has escaped Hurricane Maria largely unscathed, Reuters reports.The French island of Martinique has escaped Hurricane Maria largely unscathed, Reuters reports.
A communications blackout with Guadeloupe meant it would be several more hours before damage there could be assessed, a senior French Civil Protection official said on Tuesday.A communications blackout with Guadeloupe meant it would be several more hours before damage there could be assessed, a senior French Civil Protection official said on Tuesday.
“In Martinique, reconnaissance operations are still under way but already we can see that there is no significant damage,” Jacques Witkowski, France’s head of civil protection and crisis response, told a news briefing in Paris.“In Martinique, reconnaissance operations are still under way but already we can see that there is no significant damage,” Jacques Witkowski, France’s head of civil protection and crisis response, told a news briefing in Paris.
He said the hurricane was less than 43.5 miles (70km) south of Guadeloupe.He said the hurricane was less than 43.5 miles (70km) south of Guadeloupe.
“Right now we’re in a blackout zone, so it’s very, very hard to communicate with Guadeloupe,” Witkowski said.“Right now we’re in a blackout zone, so it’s very, very hard to communicate with Guadeloupe,” Witkowski said.
Two people on Martinique suffered minor injuries, according to French media reports citing the civil protection ministry.Two people on Martinique suffered minor injuries, according to French media reports citing the civil protection ministry.
"Deux personnes très légèrement blessées en #Martinique", selon un bilan provisoire de la @SecCivileFrance Direct: https://t.co/hurj9SHwJM pic.twitter.com/OSEQBMvonU"Deux personnes très légèrement blessées en #Martinique", selon un bilan provisoire de la @SecCivileFrance Direct: https://t.co/hurj9SHwJM pic.twitter.com/OSEQBMvonU
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.28pm BST at 3.16pm BST
11.32am BST11.32am BST
11:3211:32
Hurricane Maria skirted Barbados to the north but it still produced heavy rain and winds, prompting flights to be cancelled and schools to be closed.Hurricane Maria skirted Barbados to the north but it still produced heavy rain and winds, prompting flights to be cancelled and schools to be closed.
We got heavy rain and winds in Barbados. Flights got cancelled yesterday.We got heavy rain and winds in Barbados. Flights got cancelled yesterday.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.07pm BSTat 12.07pm BST
11.23am BST11.23am BST
11:2311:23
Press Association has a grim graphic of the massive damage a category 5 hurricane can do.Press Association has a grim graphic of the massive damage a category 5 hurricane can do.
The latest storm sweeping over the Caribbean, #HurricaneMaria, has been re-graded as a Category 5 hurricane, with sustained winds of 160mph pic.twitter.com/S8FH6PzD2kThe latest storm sweeping over the Caribbean, #HurricaneMaria, has been re-graded as a Category 5 hurricane, with sustained winds of 160mph pic.twitter.com/S8FH6PzD2k
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.39am BSTat 11.39am BST
11.19am BST11.19am BST
11:1911:19
Mark Brantley, deputy premier of Nevis, has posted a video update of “howling” winds on the island at dawn when the hurricane was still about 60 miles away.Mark Brantley, deputy premier of Nevis, has posted a video update of “howling” winds on the island at dawn when the hurricane was still about 60 miles away.
#Nevis at dawn on our Independence Day feeling first impacts of #HurricaneMaria pic.twitter.com/zIIh4hmxs0#Nevis at dawn on our Independence Day feeling first impacts of #HurricaneMaria pic.twitter.com/zIIh4hmxs0
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.29pm BSTat 12.29pm BST
11.05am BST11.05am BST
11:0511:05
People on the islands of St Kitts and Nevis have been advised to stay indoors as the centre of Hurricane Maria is due to pass “uncomfortably close” on Tuesday.People on the islands of St Kitts and Nevis have been advised to stay indoors as the centre of Hurricane Maria is due to pass “uncomfortably close” on Tuesday.
In a message to islanders, Elmo Burke, St Kitts’ senior meteorological officer, said: “Residents are urged to remain indoors and not venture out during the passage or until the all clear is given at some later time after Maria moves away.”In a message to islanders, Elmo Burke, St Kitts’ senior meteorological officer, said: “Residents are urged to remain indoors and not venture out during the passage or until the all clear is given at some later time after Maria moves away.”
#HurricaneMaria weather update. If you are not able to stay at home due to damage we are posting emergency shelters details. pic.twitter.com/xjnZfmL4hi#HurricaneMaria weather update. If you are not able to stay at home due to damage we are posting emergency shelters details. pic.twitter.com/xjnZfmL4hi
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.11am BSTat 11.11am BST
10.48am BST10.48am BST
10:4810:48
Here’s the forecast track of Hurricane Maria.Here’s the forecast track of Hurricane Maria.
10.47am BST10.47am BST
10:4710:47
Eric Maire, the prefect of the French island of Guadeloupe, has urged islanders to remain in a safe place even if the storm appears to have lulled.Eric Maire, the prefect of the French island of Guadeloupe, has urged islanders to remain in a safe place even if the storm appears to have lulled.
He warns that more heavy rain is forecast and yet houses have flooded and roads are submerged already. As much rain again is forecast to fall in the coming hours, Maire points out.He warns that more heavy rain is forecast and yet houses have flooded and roads are submerged already. As much rain again is forecast to fall in the coming hours, Maire points out.
#Maria Eric Maire, @Prefet971 : "Le phénomène est toujours en cours. Il est nécessaire de rester confiné même si des accalmies apparaissent" pic.twitter.com/b1NnfjxE0R#Maria Eric Maire, @Prefet971 : "Le phénomène est toujours en cours. Il est nécessaire de rester confiné même si des accalmies apparaissent" pic.twitter.com/b1NnfjxE0R
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.12am BSTat 11.12am BST
10.29am BST10.29am BST
10:2910:29
Maria regains category 5 statusMaria regains category 5 status
As predicted Maria has picked up intensity to become a category 5 hurricane again after briefly dipping to category 4.As predicted Maria has picked up intensity to become a category 5 hurricane again after briefly dipping to category 4.
In its latest update the the US National Hurricane Centre said:In its latest update the the US National Hurricane Centre said:
Recent reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that Maria has reintensified to category 5 status, with estimated maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h).Recent reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that Maria has reintensified to category 5 status, with estimated maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h).
Maria is moving west-north-west at 9 mph towards the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico which it is forecast to hit on Tuesday and Wednesday.Maria is moving west-north-west at 9 mph towards the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico which it is forecast to hit on Tuesday and Wednesday.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.29pm BSTat 2.29pm BST
10.02am BST10.02am BST
10:0210:02
Puerto Rico’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló, has warned that Maria will have a much greater impact on the island than Hurricane Irma.Puerto Rico’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló, has warned that Maria will have a much greater impact on the island than Hurricane Irma.
“It will essentially devastate most of the island,” he told USA Today. “It will provoke massive flooding in flooding prone regions … our priority is to save lives.”“It will essentially devastate most of the island,” he told USA Today. “It will provoke massive flooding in flooding prone regions … our priority is to save lives.”
Puerto Rico Gov. @RicardoRossello on Hurricane Maria preparations https://t.co/ByCYyqmMfa pic.twitter.com/HRSREgO40mPuerto Rico Gov. @RicardoRossello on Hurricane Maria preparations https://t.co/ByCYyqmMfa pic.twitter.com/HRSREgO40m
Speaking in a press conference, he urged people to ensure they find safe shelter.Speaking in a press conference, he urged people to ensure they find safe shelter.
Latest update on Hurricane Maria to our English speaking citizens. #MariaPR pic.twitter.com/WkYojzB58HLatest update on Hurricane Maria to our English speaking citizens. #MariaPR pic.twitter.com/WkYojzB58H
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.14am BSTat 11.14am BST
9.47am BST9.47am BST
09:4709:47
BBC Weather has a useful graphic on the forecast path for Hurricane Maria for the rest of the week.BBC Weather has a useful graphic on the forecast path for Hurricane Maria for the rest of the week.
Likely path of #HurricaneMaria over the next few days. Not looking good for #PuertoRico. Tomasz S pic.twitter.com/xDEs7ozewHLikely path of #HurricaneMaria over the next few days. Not looking good for #PuertoRico. Tomasz S pic.twitter.com/xDEs7ozewH
The latest update from the US National Hurricane Center said the intensity of the storm had dipped slightly but could increase again:The latest update from the US National Hurricane Center said the intensity of the storm had dipped slightly but could increase again:
Maria is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two, but Maria is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous category 4 or 5 hurricane while it approaches the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.Maria is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two, but Maria is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous category 4 or 5 hurricane while it approaches the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.15am BSTat 11.15am BST
9.39am BST9.39am BST
09:3909:39
Radar imagery from the French Met office shows Hurricane Maria barrelling directly over Dominica before skirting just to the south-west of Guadeloupe.Radar imagery from the French Met office shows Hurricane Maria barrelling directly over Dominica before skirting just to the south-west of Guadeloupe.
L'#ouragan #Maria avec son passage sur la Dominique cette nuit - animation radar de 18h UTC hier à 08h UTC ce matin pic.twitter.com/sJj9ul5zpIL'#ouragan #Maria avec son passage sur la Dominique cette nuit - animation radar de 18h UTC hier à 08h UTC ce matin pic.twitter.com/sJj9ul5zpI
Streets have flooded in Pointe-à-Pitre in the centre of Guadeloupe.Streets have flooded in Pointe-à-Pitre in the centre of Guadeloupe.
À Pointe-à-Pitre, l'ouragan #Maria inonde les rues. La surcôte s'additionne aux pluies diluviennes. #Guadeloupe (https://t.co/sI9bAOpurY) pic.twitter.com/O1FJYCvuswÀ Pointe-à-Pitre, l'ouragan #Maria inonde les rues. La surcôte s'additionne aux pluies diluviennes. #Guadeloupe (https://t.co/sI9bAOpurY) pic.twitter.com/O1FJYCvusw
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.17am BSTat 11.17am BST
9.20am BST9.20am BST
09:2009:20
BVI curfew imposedBVI curfew imposed
Gus Jaspert, the governor of the British Virgin Islands, says there are frantic efforts to clear the islands of debris left by Hurricane Irma so that it does not “turn into missiles flying at buildings” during Hurricane Maria.Gus Jaspert, the governor of the British Virgin Islands, says there are frantic efforts to clear the islands of debris left by Hurricane Irma so that it does not “turn into missiles flying at buildings” during Hurricane Maria.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Jaspert explained why he had imposed a curfew until Maria is forecast to hit later on Tuesday and Wednesday.Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Jaspert explained why he had imposed a curfew until Maria is forecast to hit later on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Clarified our curfew in my latest update: non-essential vehicles must keep off roads from 6pm tonight in #BVI, until the all clear is given.Clarified our curfew in my latest update: non-essential vehicles must keep off roads from 6pm tonight in #BVI, until the all clear is given.
Jaspert, who only took up his post 21 August, said:Jaspert, who only took up his post 21 August, said:
This is an absolutely unprecedented event: to have a category five [Irma] followed by another category five [Maria has since dipped to a category 4 hurricane]. In the capital here Road Town, up to about 80% of buildings are destroyed or damaged. It is a huge challenge for us to be able to ensure that people have safe shelter, and that we are prepared and can bounce back quickly.This is an absolutely unprecedented event: to have a category five [Irma] followed by another category five [Maria has since dipped to a category 4 hurricane]. In the capital here Road Town, up to about 80% of buildings are destroyed or damaged. It is a huge challenge for us to be able to ensure that people have safe shelter, and that we are prepared and can bounce back quickly.
Over the last 11 days or so since Irma, we have been focused on recovery, on rebuilding things, on getting aid out, ensuring security with support of the British military and police who are here. We have switched track ... to preparation and that’s almost our singular message now to the public here.Over the last 11 days or so since Irma, we have been focused on recovery, on rebuilding things, on getting aid out, ensuring security with support of the British military and police who are here. We have switched track ... to preparation and that’s almost our singular message now to the public here.
We have been securing shelters in each community, many people are in homes that don’t have a roof, or don’t have adequate shelter, so we securing a hardened shelter in each community.We have been securing shelters in each community, many people are in homes that don’t have a roof, or don’t have adequate shelter, so we securing a hardened shelter in each community.
We are frantically clearing up what we call guts – essentially natural streams. We are expecting a lot of rain and we are telling people to move from low-lying areas, get away from what we call guts and we are frantically cleaning them because there is a lot of debris and blockages in them.We are frantically clearing up what we call guts – essentially natural streams. We are expecting a lot of rain and we are telling people to move from low-lying areas, get away from what we call guts and we are frantically cleaning them because there is a lot of debris and blockages in them.
We are also getting the debris off the streets. There is lots of metal where roofs have ripped off houses ... in the last few days we’ve been clearing that up.We are also getting the debris off the streets. There is lots of metal where roofs have ripped off houses ... in the last few days we’ve been clearing that up.
I’ve imposed a curfew in effect from now right up to when the hurricane passes so the roads are clear. We are going to send truck after truck to clear up all of the debris. I’m appealing to all of the community to show that spirit which they have shown so far of helping out, clearing up, getting the debris off the streets so it doesn’t turn into missiles flying at buildings.I’ve imposed a curfew in effect from now right up to when the hurricane passes so the roads are clear. We are going to send truck after truck to clear up all of the debris. I’m appealing to all of the community to show that spirit which they have shown so far of helping out, clearing up, getting the debris off the streets so it doesn’t turn into missiles flying at buildings.
The Foreign Office is advising against all travel to the British Virgin Islands as there is a “ high risk of further severe damage”. It says:The Foreign Office is advising against all travel to the British Virgin Islands as there is a “ high risk of further severe damage”. It says:
Hurricane Maria is expected to make landfall on the islands on 19 or 20 September. Following the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Irma, there’s a high risk of further severe damage. Coastal flooding is also highly likely.Hurricane Maria is expected to make landfall on the islands on 19 or 20 September. Following the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Irma, there’s a high risk of further severe damage. Coastal flooding is also highly likely.
If you’re in the British Virgin Islands you should identify shelter immediately and be ready to take cover when the hurricane approaches. If you’re currently outside the islands, you should not return to the territory at this time.If you’re in the British Virgin Islands you should identify shelter immediately and be ready to take cover when the hurricane approaches. If you’re currently outside the islands, you should not return to the territory at this time.
The local authorities have introduced a curfew from 6pm on Monday 18 September until the all clear is given following Hurricane Maria. You should continue to follow the advice of the local authorities. The hotline for British people affected or concerned about others is +44(0)20 7008 0000. You should use whatever means you can to confirm to family that you are safe.The local authorities have introduced a curfew from 6pm on Monday 18 September until the all clear is given following Hurricane Maria. You should continue to follow the advice of the local authorities. The hotline for British people affected or concerned about others is +44(0)20 7008 0000. You should use whatever means you can to confirm to family that you are safe.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.18am BSTat 11.18am BST