Martinique Island ripped apart by Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Maria batters the Caribbean
The eye of the cyclone passed about 50 km from Martinique, as it began coasting the Caribbean on Monday evening from south to north, generating winds approaching 300 km/h.
Hurricane Maria, the second major storm to hit the Caribbean this month, lashed at the French overseasislandof Martinique on Monday (September 18) with violent winds and torrential rains.
The eye of the cyclone passed about 50 km from Martinique, as it began coasting the Caribbean on Monday evening from south to north, generating winds approaching 300 km/h.
An accurate assessment of the damage can only be carried out later, local authorities said. No casualties were reported.
Maria is expected to remain a category 4 or 5 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the Miami-based NHC said.
The French Interior Ministry warned residents of Martinique and Guadeloupe of a high risk of flooding, mudslides or landslides and installed measures to protect vital sites such as a desalination plant and a power plant.