We’re seeing reports that monster Category 5 Hurricane Maria caused widespread destruction on the island of Dominica overnight:
According to ham radio operators there is significant damage to infrastructure in Dominica.
— John Morales (@JohnMoralesNBC6) September 19, 2017
Just 24 hours ago, #Maria was a Category 1. Now, by all accounts, Dominica lays largely in ruins from a Category 5.
An unfathomable tragedy.— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) September 19, 2017
Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, live-blogged the storm over on his Facebook page:
Pray for the people of Dominica. Very sad situation. Facebook post from the Prime Minister of the country: #Maria pic.twitter.com/pj7vARaxkz
— Hurricane Tracker App (@hurrtrackerapp) September 19, 2017
Mr. Skerrit even had to be rescued during the night:
The island of Guadeloupe to Dominica’s north was hit hard, too:
After slamming through Dominica as a CAT 5 Hurricane, #Maria is now doing this in Guadeloupe – NHC says winds are sustained 160mph. #WBZ pic.twitter.com/HbDbSMrEeg
— Anaridis Rodriguez (@Anaridis) September 19, 2017
This video was taken on Monday night in Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe, as Hurricane #Maria pummels the island https://t.co/iR5nUYIWfn pic.twitter.com/i2XKnOcgF3
— CNN International (@cnni) September 19, 2017
#Guadeloupe leaders telling people to continue to hunker down as #HurricaneMaria hits island. https://t.co/oHBrIDPg2w
— Chris Stewart (@CStewartNews) September 19, 2017
#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
— Préfet de Guadeloupe (@Prefet971) September 19, 2017
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are next, and the damage is going to be catastrophic:
This is an extremely dangerous hurricane and life-threatening impacts are anticipated across PR and the Virgin Islands! #prwx #usviwx #Maria pic.twitter.com/bBE1qZW41k
— NWS San Juan (@NWSSanJuan) September 19, 2017
After leaving Dominica, María is clearly seen moving on-track to the west-northwest. Next stop likely the #USVirginIslands then Puerto Rico. pic.twitter.com/1ITnXyFHYF
— John Morales (@JohnMoralesNBC6) September 19, 2017
Jarring @NWSSanJuan #Maria local statement: Catastrophic wind damage, devastating to catastrophic rainfall #flooding expected. pic.twitter.com/9nRH3anzMU
— Jonathan Erdman (@wxjerdman) September 19, 2017
Prayers up to everyone in the path:
Enjoying tranquil dinner on this terrace & having trouble comprehending that a 140-knot Cat 5 is approaching. Just weird. #MARIA #PuertoRico pic.twitter.com/9EEFzKVaws
— Josh Morgerman (@iCyclone) September 19, 2017
***