Hurricane Maria will be remembered as one of the most destructive of this season this year. After Irma, the most ideal thing would have been that no more cyclone formed, since the damage caused by it was terrible. But, at least for the moment, weather phenomena cannot be controlled.
Thus, tropical storms can get stronger, something they are getting faster and faster as ocean temperatures just keep rising. So, Maria sadly, has been able to continue causing many problems to the islands of the Caribbean Sea, especially to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In addition, this hurricane falls within the 2017 hurricane season, which has been considered one of the most active in over a century, as can be read in more detail in the 2017 hurricane season.
Damages in Puerto Rico
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- Image - Hector Retamal / AFP
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- Hurricane Maria damage in Puerto Rico. Image - Carlos García / Reuters
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- Image - AP
Hurricane Maria, which is currently on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, has been devastating. With winds of 250 kilometers per hour, it literally swept everything in its path. The material losses have been so great that, according to the mayor of the coastal city of Catañi, "it will take months, many months before we can recover from this."
The images and videos that come from there are dramatic: Uprooted trees, destroyed houses, landslides, streets littered with debris…Also, more details about the impact of this hurricane can be found in the article about Hurricane Maria and its effects on the island of DominicaIf you want to know more about this phenomenon, you can visit the article on the characteristics and magnitude of Hurricane Maria which offer a more in-depth analysis. As of yesterday, Thursday, September 21, the island remained on flood alert.
Damage in the Virgin Islands
The US Virgin Islands fared no better. María left its inhabitants without electricity, and the roads have become impassable. It is estimated that up to 70% of the buildings in Santa Cruz, a city of 55.000 inhabitants, have suffered damage. To understand the context of how Hurricane Irma previously affected this region, see the article on The effects of Hurricane Irma on the Virgin IslandsThis hurricane has been a reminder of the vulnerability of both territories, adding to the list of devastating cyclones in the region, as detailed in the most destructive hurricanes of recent years and its impact on the Caribbean.
Both territories, both Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, disaster areas have been declared by the White House. The cyclone has caused at least 34 deaths, 15 deaths in Puerto Rico, 15 in Dominica, three in Haiti and one in Guadeloupe.
Where are you heading now?
Image - Screenshot
The winds of Maria, now a category 3 hurricane, They could hit the Bahamas this afternoon. While it could strengthen in the coming days, it is highly unlikely to make landfall in the United States. For more information on recent weather events, see the articles on the 2017 hurricane season and other significant events. If you're interested in learning more about storm systems, check out the article on the eye of the hurricane, which explains in detail its formation and characteristics.
