News

Hurricane Maria Heads Northwest After Hammering Puerto Rico

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - September 20, 2017

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Hurricane Maria clobbered Puerto Rico on Wednesday, sending it into a total island-wide blackout, with reports of significant property damage.

It was not yet clear how much damage had been wrought, nor was it yet possible to determine the number of injuries or potential deaths.

Maria hit Puerto Rico with more than 20 inches of rain and serious flooding, with conditions strong enough to knock out radar and telecommunications.

Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello imposed a curfew at 6 PM on Wednesday evening, calling it “essential to maintain order.”

Rossello said he had already asked US President Donald Trump to declare Puerto Rico a Disaster Zone.

The Dominican Republic was next in Maria’s path; the storm was 95 miles north-northwest of Punta Cana at 8 AM Thursday morning, with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour.

The eye of Maria was forecast to continue to pass offshore of the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic before moving near the Turks and Caicos and southeastern Bahamas later Thursday.

A hurricane warning was in effect for the Dominican Republic between Cabo Engano and Puerto Plata, along with the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeastern Bahamas.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for the Dominican Republic west of Puerto Plata to the northern border with Haiti and the Dominican Republic west of Cabo Engano to Punta Palenque.

The storm was set to pass offshore the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic early Thursday before moving toward the Turks and Caicos and southeastern Bahamas Thursday night and Friday.

Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello imposed a curfew on Wednesday evening.

Maria was now a category 3 huricane, with some strengthening possible in the next day or so, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Popular Posts ian fleming villa with beach and green trees

American Airlines Begins New Ocho Rios, Jamaica Flights, With a Nod to James Bond 

Ian Fleming began writing the book that would become Casino Royale at his seaside villa in the town of Oracabessa, Jamaica in February 1952.  It was here on the outskirts of Ocho Rios that Fleming would forge the story of […]


A New All-Inclusive W Hotel Is Opening This Year in Punta Cana 

w punta cana

The first-ever all-inclusive W Hotel in the Caribbean is opening this year in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The hotel, part of a broad expansion for parent company Marriott International, is on the list of expected 2024 […]


Why Grenada Is a New Caribbean Luxury Hotspot

beach house silversands

From its world-renowned chocolate to its pristine beaches to a region-leading focus on sustainability, Grenada is as fascinating and unique as destination as you’ll find in the Caribbean.  But in the last few years, the lush Eastern Caribberan island has […]


Related Posts miches marriott

Marriott Is Opening a New All-Inclusive Resort in the Dominican Republic 

Marriott is set to open its first-ever Marriott-branded all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic early next year, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The company will be adding the former Sunrise Miches Beach Resort to its All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, with […]


Avianca Is Adding More Flights to Puerto Rico 

avianca colombia

Puerto Rico has been finally seeing growth in international traffic, and that’s in large part due to two markets: Spain and Colombia, with the latter coming from a new push from Colombian carrier Avianca.  Now, Avianca is expanding its footprint […]


Cartier Just Opened a New Boutique in The Bahamas 

cartier bahamas

Luxury brand Cartier has debuted its newest outpost in the Caribbean, with a boutique at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort.  The new Maison Cartier, the product of a partnership with John Bull, has 2,000 square feet of space in the […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You