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Hurricane Maria: new category five storm makes landfall in Dominica – live Hurricane Maria: new category five storm makes landfall in Dominica – live
(35 minutes later)
4.28am BST
04:28
Roosevelt Skerrit, the prime minister of Dominica, has been speaking to Caracas-based Telesur TV about the devastation wrought by Maria – the scale of which has yet to be assessed.
Skerrit told the station he was rescued from his flooded home by police officers.
Please tell the world that Dominica has been devastated … In the morning we will know how many dead there are …
We were brutally hit.
4.23am BST
04:23
What does it feel like to be in the midst of a hurricane? Neuroscientist Dr Daniel Glaser explains:
The Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale describes the effects on structures and people, but not what it would feel like. Hearing is the sense most frequently invoked, with winds sounding like a train or a low howl.
Of course, the most basic response to these events is fear and awe. Our brain generates the fear and that triggers the gut, which feeds back to the brain. The sensation is really part of an indirect loop. If the hurricane struck your body directly that would be a very different story.
4.14am BST
04:14
There has been no news of casualties from Dominica so far – but, reports Associated Press, this could be because emergency services are yet to leave shelter:
Late Monday, a police official, Inspector Pellam Jno Baptiste, said there were no immediate reports of casualties but it was still too dangerous for officers to do a full assessment as the storm raged outside.
“Where we are, we can’t move,” he said in a brief phone interview.
4.10am BST4.10am BST
04:1004:10
Hurricane warnings remain in effect for:Hurricane warnings remain in effect for:
DominicaDominica
GuadeloupeGuadeloupe
MontserratMontserrat
St Kitts & NevisSt Kitts & Nevis
US Virgin IslandsUS Virgin Islands
British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands
Puerto Rico, Culebra and ViequesPuerto Rico, Culebra and Vieques
3.59am BST3.59am BST
03:5903:59
Latest hurricane reportLatest hurricane report
The latest advisory from the US National Hurricane Center confirms that Maria is moving over Dominica as a category five hurricane.The latest advisory from the US National Hurricane Center confirms that Maria is moving over Dominica as a category five hurricane.
It warns:It warns:
Hurricane conditions should continue over Dominica during the next few hours. Hurricane conditions should spread throughout portions of the hurricane warning area in the Leeward Islands tonight and early Tuesday. Hurricane conditions should spread through the remainder of the hurricane warning area [which includes the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico] Tuesday and Wednesday.Hurricane conditions should continue over Dominica during the next few hours. Hurricane conditions should spread throughout portions of the hurricane warning area in the Leeward Islands tonight and early Tuesday. Hurricane conditions should spread through the remainder of the hurricane warning area [which includes the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico] Tuesday and Wednesday.
Storm surges remain an extreme danger, it says:Storm surges remain an extreme danger, it says:
A dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves will raise water levels by as much as 7 to 11 feet (2.1m-3.4m) above normal tide levels in the hurricane warning area near where the centre of Maria moves across the Leeward Islands and the British Virgin Islands.A dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves will raise water levels by as much as 7 to 11 feet (2.1m-3.4m) above normal tide levels in the hurricane warning area near where the centre of Maria moves across the Leeward Islands and the British Virgin Islands.
The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.02am BSTat 4.02am BST
3.59am BST3.59am BST
03:5903:59
Maria is the first category five hurricane in recorded history to hit Dominica.Maria is the first category five hurricane in recorded history to hit Dominica.
In 1979, Hurricane David hit the island as a category four storm, the deadliest to date. In all, 56 people died and three-quarters of the population were left homeless.In 1979, Hurricane David hit the island as a category four storm, the deadliest to date. In all, 56 people died and three-quarters of the population were left homeless.
3.49am BST3.49am BST
03:4903:49
The US National Hurricane Center has warned that Maria could yet become more intense, Associated Press reports:The US National Hurricane Center has warned that Maria could yet become more intense, Associated Press reports:
“Maria is developing the dreaded pinhole eye,” the center warned.“Maria is developing the dreaded pinhole eye,” the center warned.
That’s a sign of an extremely strong hurricane likely to get even mightier, said University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy. Just like when a spinning ice skater brings in their arms and rotates faster, a smaller, tighter eye shows the same physics, he said.That’s a sign of an extremely strong hurricane likely to get even mightier, said University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy. Just like when a spinning ice skater brings in their arms and rotates faster, a smaller, tighter eye shows the same physics, he said.
Maria’s eye shrank to a narrow 10 miles (16km) across. “You just don’t see those in weaker hurricanes,” McNoldy said.Maria’s eye shrank to a narrow 10 miles (16km) across. “You just don’t see those in weaker hurricanes,” McNoldy said.
3.37am BST3.37am BST
03:3703:37
Forecasts expect Hurricane Maria to hit Puerto Rico on Tuesday night and Wednesday.Forecasts expect Hurricane Maria to hit Puerto Rico on Tuesday night and Wednesday.
On Monday, Hector Pesquera, Puerto Rico’s public safety commissioner, told residents in homes not built to withstand such intense winds to move to shelters:On Monday, Hector Pesquera, Puerto Rico’s public safety commissioner, 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.You have to evacuate. Otherwise you’re going to die. I don’t know how to make this any clearer.
Rationing has been introduced in the US territory – still recovering from Hurricane Irma – with water, milk, formula milk, canned food, batteries and flashlights all in short supply.Rationing has been introduced in the US territory – still recovering from Hurricane Irma – with water, milk, formula milk, canned food, batteries and flashlights all in short supply.
3.32am BST3.32am BST
03:3203:32
Radio station Wice QFM, based in Domica’s capital, Roseau, still appears to be broadcasting. There is a live link here.Radio station Wice QFM, based in Domica’s capital, Roseau, still appears to be broadcasting. There is a live link here.
One caller to the station has been describing “killer winds”.One caller to the station has been describing “killer winds”.
The host says there has been “constant, constant … pounding rain”.The host says there has been “constant, constant … pounding rain”.
3.26am BST3.26am BST
03:2603:26
Dominica’s DBS radio station had been broadcasting news as the hurricane swirled across the island, reporting damage to the roof of the Princess Margaret hospital in the capital, Roseau.Dominica’s DBS radio station had been broadcasting news as the hurricane swirled across the island, reporting damage to the roof of the Princess Margaret hospital in the capital, Roseau.
Shortly after reporting that something had crashed into the station building, DBS has now gone quiet.Shortly after reporting that something had crashed into the station building, DBS has now gone quiet.
3.18am BST3.18am BST
03:1803:18
The eye of the hurricane crosses the centre of Dominica – with more strong winds and rainfall to come as the eastern eyewall makes its way across the island:The eye of the hurricane crosses the centre of Dominica – with more strong winds and rainfall to come as the eastern eyewall makes its way across the island:
Eye, dead center, over #Dominica #Maria #Cat5 pic.twitter.com/2tm3K9x08mEye, dead center, over #Dominica #Maria #Cat5 pic.twitter.com/2tm3K9x08m
3.12am BST3.12am BST
03:1203:12
Guadeloupe residents ordered to take shelterGuadeloupe residents ordered to take shelter
While Dominica takes the full force of Hurricane Maria, other islands have already been raked by its outer winds and rains, with yet others still preparing for its arrival, Agence France-Presse reports:While Dominica takes the full force of Hurricane Maria, other islands have already been raked by its outer winds and rains, with yet others still preparing for its arrival, Agence France-Presse reports:
Guadeloupe – the bridgehead for aid for Irma-hit French territories – ordered all residents to take shelter in a maximum-level “violet alert” effective from 8pm local time as powerful rains drenched the French Caribbean island.Guadeloupe – the bridgehead for aid for Irma-hit French territories – ordered all residents to take shelter in a maximum-level “violet alert” effective from 8pm local time as powerful rains drenched the French Caribbean island.
St Kitts and Nevis, the British island of Montserrat, and the islands of Culebra and Vieques were also on alert.St Kitts and Nevis, the British island of Montserrat, and the islands of Culebra and Vieques were also on alert.
On Martinique, which is also part of France, energy supplier EDF said power had been cut off from 16,000 homes, although a hurricane warning on that island was later downgraded to a tropical storm.On Martinique, which is also part of France, energy supplier EDF said power had been cut off from 16,000 homes, although a hurricane warning on that island was later downgraded to a tropical storm.
In rain-lashed St Lucia, which also faced a tropical storm warning, flooding, mudslides and power outages were reported in parts of the island.In rain-lashed St Lucia, which also faced a tropical storm warning, flooding, mudslides and power outages were reported in parts of the island.
3.05am BST3.05am BST
03:0503:05
Two years ago, in August 2015, Tropical Storm Erika hit Dominica, killing 31 people and destroying more than 370 homes. Many towns were cut off as roads were blocked and power was lost in what was at that point the most devastating storm to lash Dominica since Hurricane David in 1979.Two years ago, in August 2015, Tropical Storm Erika hit Dominica, killing 31 people and destroying more than 370 homes. Many towns were cut off as roads were blocked and power was lost in what was at that point the most devastating storm to lash Dominica since Hurricane David in 1979.
Erika had wind speeds of a maximum 50mph (85kmh) – much less than Maria’s 160mph (260kmh).Erika had wind speeds of a maximum 50mph (85kmh) – much less than Maria’s 160mph (260kmh).
In 2015, prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit said damage from Erika could set the island’s development back two decades.In 2015, prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit said damage from Erika could set the island’s development back two decades.
2.57am BST2.57am BST
02:5702:57
Jackson says disaster plans are also being put into place for St Kitts and Nevis “as a precaution”.Jackson says disaster plans are also being put into place for St Kitts and Nevis “as a precaution”.
2.56am BST2.56am BST
02:5602:56
Ronald Jackson, director of the Caribbean disaster and emergency management agency, says:Ronald Jackson, director of the Caribbean disaster and emergency management agency, says:
CARICOM [Caribbean Community] Disaster Relief United being readied for deployment to Dominica at earliest opportunity.CARICOM [Caribbean Community] Disaster Relief United being readied for deployment to Dominica at earliest opportunity.
Rapid needs and damage assessment teams [are] being readied for deployment to DominicaRapid needs and damage assessment teams [are] being readied for deployment to Dominica
I fear this is going to be a long September. One to be remembered.I fear this is going to be a long September. One to be remembered.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.56am BSTat 2.56am BST
2.47am BST2.47am BST
02:4702:47
In Guadeloupe – which could be the next island to feel Maria’s full force – winds have already picked up speed and the rains are intensifying:In Guadeloupe – which could be the next island to feel Maria’s full force – winds have already picked up speed and the rains are intensifying:
#Maria #Guadeloupe La végétation soumise à rude épreuve ! pic.twitter.com/5rYBkbqvrR#Maria #Guadeloupe La végétation soumise à rude épreuve ! pic.twitter.com/5rYBkbqvrR
2.42am BST2.42am BST
02:4202:42
As Maria approached, Agence France-Presse reported on the islanders making preparations for the catastrophic storm:As Maria approached, Agence France-Presse reported on the islanders making preparations for the catastrophic storm:
Residents flocked to supermarkets to stock up on essentials as island officials warned people living in low-lying areas or along rivers to move to high ground.Residents flocked to supermarkets to stock up on essentials as island officials warned people living in low-lying areas or along rivers to move to high ground.
“Just ready to ride out storm at best. With a little prayer on the side,” said school teacher Leandra Lander.“Just ready to ride out storm at best. With a little prayer on the side,” said school teacher Leandra Lander.
Lander collected water, charged her electronic devices and ensured her important documents were safe. “My work place is secured and so is my home,” she said.Lander collected water, charged her electronic devices and ensured her important documents were safe. “My work place is secured and so is my home,” she said.
The island’s airport and ports have been closed, and the local water company shut down its systems to protect its intake valves from debris churned up by the storm.The island’s airport and ports have been closed, and the local water company shut down its systems to protect its intake valves from debris churned up by the storm.
The government opened all the island’s shelters.The government opened all the island’s shelters.
Dominican prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit warned residents to be especially cautious.Dominican prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit warned residents to be especially cautious.
“Let us take it seriously and use the time that we have to prepare ourselves adequately,” he told a news conference.“Let us take it seriously and use the time that we have to prepare ourselves adequately,” he told a news conference.
Many islanders still remember the massive destruction and death caused by David, another category five hurricane that struck in 1979.Many islanders still remember the massive destruction and death caused by David, another category five hurricane that struck in 1979.
Business owners could be seen boarding up their properties earlier in the day, as they prepared to ride out this storm.Business owners could be seen boarding up their properties earlier in the day, as they prepared to ride out this storm.