Hurricane Maria Forces Puerto Rico Evacuations As Storm Intensifies

Evacuation orders have been issued for parts of Puerto Rico ahead of Hurricane Maria. The Category 3 hurricane is predicted to become a Category 4 with 150 mph winds and could hit Puerto Rico late Tuesday or early Wednesday. Puerto Rico’s governor has declared a state of emergency on the island, and he has requested a federal declaration.

If Hurricane Maria becomes a Category 4 hurricane as projected, it would be the first time a storm of that magnitude has made a direct hit on the island in 85 years.

Maria’s predicted path aims to hit Caribbean islands already devastated by Hurricane Irma earlier this month, when Irma skirted near Puerto Rico and caused mass power outages. At one point, around 70 percent of homes on the island were without power.

“This has the potential of being a very big disaster,” Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said to the New York Times Sunday.

Four hundred fifty shelters will be opened up starting Monday afternoon in Puerto Rico. Many Irma evacuees from surrounding islands went to Puerto Rico for refuge but now could be in danger once again.

Puerto Rico could see as many as 12 to 18 inches of rain.

“Our call is for people to evacuate areas that are prone to floods and landslides, in addition to vulnerable structures,” Rosselló said to CNN Monday. “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.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Nation Hurricane Center has offered stern warnings for Puerto Rico and the rest of the Caribbean. Puerto Rico could see deadly storm surges, flash floods and mudslides.

“Maria is likely to affect Puerto Rico as an extremely dangerous major hurricane, and a hurricane watch is in effect for that island. A hurricane warning will likely be issued later today,” said the Hurricane Center in a release Monday. The potential for a life-threatening storm surge, accompanied by large and destructive waves, has increased for the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.”

The storm could not come at a worse time for Puerto Rico, which has been ravaged by an economic crisis for years. Infrastructure in parts of the U.S. territory is already in disrepair and many people live in substandard housing.

The island is bankrupt and under the control of a federal fiscal control board. Over 45 percent of the country lives below the federal poverty line. If the federal government declares an emergency for Puerto Rico, it could get more money for disaster relief from Washington.