Big blow to Caribbean as Maria churns ahead

HURRICANE Maria is hurtling toward the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, with the US National Hurricane Centre warning of a “potentially catastrophic” impact as it battered the eastern Caribbean.

“Maria is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous Category 4 or 5 hurricane while it approaches” the British and US territories, the NHC said.

At least one person has been killed in Guadeloupe, reportedly by a falling tree, while two others were reported missing after their ship sank off Desirade, the easternmost island in the French territory’s archipelago.

On neighbouring Dominica, premier Roosevelt Skerrit posted on Facebook details of “widespread devastation” as Maria made landfall, with winds of up to 257km/h.

“We have lost all what money can buy and replace,” he wrote. “My greatest fear for the morning is that we will wake to news of serious physical injury and possible deaths as a result of likely landslides triggered by persistent rains.”

Earlier, he said his roof had been blown off and his house flooded, leaving him “at the complete mercy of the hurricane”.

After being rescued, Mr Skerrit appealed for “help of all kinds”.

Maria is now churning north towards the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The British archipelago, which is still mopping up after Hurricane Irma earlier this month, has been under curfew since Monday.

“Our islands are extremely vulnerable right now,” the territory’s premier Orlando Smith said, warning that the storm could turn debris left by Irma into projectiles.

The NHC warned Maria would “remain extremely dangerous” as it passed over the British and US territories.

The French territory of Guadeloupe — the bridgehead for aid for Irma-hit French territories — found itself in the eye of the storm. Heavy rain lashed the island.

The Dominican Republic, whose east coast was battered by Irma, ordered citizens in part of the north to evacuate.

St Kitts, Nevis, the British island of Montserrat, Culebra and Vieques are also on alert.

On the island of St Martin, which is split between France and the Netherlands, authorities announced a red alert ahead of Maria’s arrival.

The Dutch navy tweeted that troops were heading to the two tiny neighbouring islands of Saba and St Eustatius to ensure security after widespread complaints after the first hurricane of looting and lawlessness on St Martin, among the worst hit by Irma, with 14 killed.

Irma left about 40 people dead in the Caribbean before churning west and pounding Florida.