Category 5 Maria swamps Dominica

ROSEAU, Dominica — Hurricane Maria swept over the small island of Dominica with catastrophic Category 5 winds overnight, starting a charge into the eastern Caribbean that threatens islands already devastated by Hurricane Irma.

The storm was following a path that could take it today near many of the islands recently devastated by Hurricane Irma and then head toward a possible direct strike on Puerto Rico on Wednesday.

Fierce winds and driving rain lashed the mountainous island for hours, causing flooding and tearing roofs from homes.

Late Monday, a police official, Inspector Pellam Jno Baptiste, said there were no immediate reports of casualties, but it was still too dangerous for officers to do a full assessment as the storm raged outside.

With Puerto Rico appearing destined for a hit, officials in the U.S. territory warned residents of wooden or otherwise flimsy homes to find safe shelter.

“You have to evacuate. Otherwise you’re going to die,” said Hector Pesquera, the island’s public safety commissioner. “I don’t know how to make this any clearer.”

Puerto Rico imposed rationing of basic supplies including water, milk, baby formula, canned food and batteries.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Maria had maximum sustained winds of 160 mph late Monday. . It was heading west-northwest at 9 mph.