Hurricane Maria is a growing threat to Irma hit Caribbean.
Eastern Caribbean islands prepared today to face another potential disaster, with forecasters saying newly formed and likely to strengthen Hurricane Maria was headed for a hit on the Leeward Islands by Monday night.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Maria was expected to gain power and could be near major hurricane strength while crossing through the Leeward Islands late Monday on a path aiming toward Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
The hurricane centre said hurricane conditions should begin to affect parts of the Leeward Islands by Monday night, with storm surge raising water levels by 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 metres) near the storm's centre. The storm was predicted to bring 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimetres) of rain across the islands, with more in isolated areas.
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