Hurricane Maria has strengthened to a “potentially catastrophic” category five storm which forecasters expect to near Dominica in the next few hours and approach Puerto Rico by Tuesday night.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Monday evening that the storm with 160 mph (260 kph) winds may continue to strengthen during the night.
Dangerous storm surge is expected to accompany Maria, raising water levels by 6 to 9 feet (2 to 3 meters) as it moves across the Leeward Islands and British Virgin Islands.
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Forecasters say dangerous surf and rip currents from Hurricane Jose are expected to continue along the U.S. East Coast.
The Category 1 storm with 75 mph (120 kph) winds is about 230 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
