Puerto Rico’s Governor has issued evacuation orders as Hurricane Maria takes a fast path towards his island. Winds have been clocked at 160 miles per hour with gusts up to 195, and 12-18 inches of rain could start to fall starting tomorrow, Tuesday, September 19.
It was Puerto Rico that took in many evacuees who ran from Hurricane Irma which recently ravaged its way through the Caribbean. Now, it appears to be in Maria’s direct path.
Governor Ricardo Rosselló said, “We want to alert the people of Puerto Rico that this is not an event like we’ve ever seen before. We expect to feel storm winds, tropical storm winds, since Tuesday up until late on Thursday. That’s about two-and-a-half days of tropical storm winds, and on Wednesday we will feel the brunt – all of the island will feel the brunt of sustained category four or five winds.
“It is time to seek refuge with a family member, friend, or move to a state shelter because rescuers will not go out and risk their lives once winds reach 50 miles per hour. This is an event that will be damaging to the infrastructure, that will be catastrophic, and our main focus – our only focus right now – should be to make sure we save lives.”
The island is ready to accept close to 63,000 people into 450 shelters, over 125,000 if necessary.
Weather forecasters are also keeping an eye on Hurricane Jose in the Atlantic.
