Hurricane Maria has increased to the 4 category and is heading towards Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Infographics: nhc.noaa.gov

Hurricane Maria, raging in the Atlantic, reached the fourth power category.

According to the National Center for Watching Hurricanes, the element is moving towards Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, writes NBC.

As of 17: 00 18 September, the hurricane epicenter is located in 95 km from the French island of Martinique, the maximum wind speed is 130 miles or 209 km per hour.

Mary's epicenter moves at a speed of 17 km / h in a northwesterly direction and is predicted to reach the Leeward Islands by the evening of September 18.

The National Hurricane Center expects Maria to grow into a “major hurricane” overnight from 18 to September 19 (large hurricanes are considered wind speeds exceeding 110 miles (177 km) per hour), which, judging by the predicted trajectory of movement, 20 September will hit Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The 4 or 5 category hurricanes did not enter Puerto Rico from 1928. Irma traveled 80 km from the island, leading only to storm waves, but that was enough to leave about a million people without electricity. Therefore, the consequences of Mary can be disastrous for Puerto Rico.

In the British Virgin Islands, where the death toll from Irma has reached four, Maria could bring further destruction from strong winds as well as flooding - the hurricane is forecast to bring between 15 and 51 cm of rain on the islands.

In connection with the approach of the elements, anxiety was declared on the island of St. Lucia, the British and American Virgin Islands, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Antigua and Barbuda and Puerto Rico.

Residents are advised to stock up on essential goods, water and food, as well as secure and prepare their homes for the arrival of the elements.

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