Hurricane Maria has strengthened to a Category 5 storm, causing major damage to the Caribbean island of Dominica – just over one week after Hurricane Irma ripped through the Caribbean ‘corridor,’ killing 37 people.

This latest major threat comprising 160mph winds was hitting the Leeward Islands chain as this report was being written, including the already badly battered islands of Antigua and Barbuda.

EARLY WARNING SYSTEM KICKS IN…

Island governors and administrators have been warning their citizens that they are in the potential danger zone now that this second hurricane has grown to such huge strength.

This image of Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Jose was taken from the NOAA’s GOES East satellite yesterday morning, as it strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane just east of the Leeward Islands. Hurricane Maria is now a full-on 165mph category 5. Photo credit: NASA/NOAA GOES Project. Click to enlarge.

At the same time, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a Hurricane Warning last night for Guadeloupe, Dominica, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Montserrat, Martinique, St. Lucia, the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

A Tropical Storm Warning is also in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, Saba and St. Eustatius, St. Maarten and Anguilla.

SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE

Meanwhile, the NHC has already reported significant damage to the island of Dominica, as the hurricane settles over the Caribbean before it is expected to head straight for Puerto Rico.

Here, Governor Rosselló has already declared a state of emergency ahead of its expected landfall tomorrow [Wednesday, 20 Sept-Ed].

In addition, a ‘Hurricane Watch’ is now in effect for Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra, Saba and St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, St. Martin and St. Barthelemy, and Anguilla. A Tropical Storm Watch is also in effect for Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Meanwhile, as if two major hurricanes in just over one week weren’t bad enough, yet another – Hurricane Jose – is now forming in the Atlantic, with winds measured at a more modest, but sustained 90mph.