Hurricane Maria’s location at 11:00 am

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

At?111 am, Hurricane Maria was located near latitude 14.7 degrees north and longitude 60.1 degrees west or about 95 miles east southeast of Dominica. Maria is moving west northwest at 10mph. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 120 mph with higher gusts.??Maria is now a major Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

On the forecast track, the center of Maria should move across Dominica during? tonight .? Additional rapid strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Maria is expected to be a dangerous major hurricane as it moves through the Leeward Islands and the Northeastern Caribbean Sea.

Radar and satellite imagery indicated that moderate to heavy showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds associated with Maria are affecting Dominica. The forecast is for this activity to continue and intensify at times as the system moves nearer to Dominica along with winds gusting to tropical storm and hurricane force. Rough to dangerous seas are also expected to continue into? Tuesday .

Residents are advised to keep safe and resist the urge to go sight-seeing. Reports indicated that a few landslides and rising water levels are already occurring.

Expected rainfall amount for Dominica is between 8 to 10 inches (200 to 250mm) with higher amounts in elevated areas.

• Persons in areas prone to flooding, landslides and falling rocks are advised to be extremely vigilant and to exercise extreme caution as life threatening flash flooding is possible.
• Winds gusting to hurricane force are possible from today into? Tuesday . Be mindful of flying debris and be cautious if outdoor activities cannot be avoided

Swells generated by Maria are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions and coastal flooding.

A Small-Craft Warning and a High-Surf Advisory are in effect for dangerous seas and high winds.

A small-craft Warning means in this case that surface winds greater than 25knots and seas equal to or greater than 3m (10ft) are already affecting or expected to affect the marine area.

A High-Surf Advisory is issued when breaking wave action poses or is expected to pose a threat to life and property within the surf zone.

• Mariners and other users of the sea should remain extremely cautious? and do not venture out of port. Sea bathers stay out of the water.

The Meteorological Service will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.