Hurricane Maria Batters Dominica, Sets Sights On Puerto Rico
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A very powerful Hurricane Maria is barreling through the Caribbean - an area already battered by Hurricane Irma.
Overnight Maria made landfall on Dominica as a Category 5 hurricane . It's the first time in recorded history a hurricane that strong made landfall on the island.
Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit had to be rescued from his home after the storm blew off the roof.
"The structure I was in was very strong, but the constant, unrelenting wind, the hurricane stayed in the country for a very long time. The force of the wind kept getting stronger. Add to that you had very heavy rainfall. I don't think there are many roofs which will survive the hurricane," he said.
Skerrit said the island has suffered widespread damage and has "lost all that money can buy."
Hurricane Maria is now making its way toward Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, two islands just starting to recover from Hurricane Irma. Acorss both, preparations are well underway.
St. Thomas is only accessible by boat or helicopter. Schools have turned into shelters on St. Thomas for those not able to, or willing to, evacuate.
All critically ill patients are being airlifted out of the island's hospitals ahead of the storm as residents and first responders prepare to evacuate. Paramedic Jacob Bradley warned those sticking it out on the island that they woudl be on their own.
"you can expect no EMS, no fire and no police response from the locals because we believe the road is gonna wash out, and we're pretty certain that it's gonna wash out and if it washes out there's nothing we can do," he said.
Debris from Irma still litters the island and could turn into dangerous projectiless when Maria's hurricane force winds sweep in.
"We decided it's time to take him somewhere a little safer," said Dana Neal indicating her two year old son Tucker James.
The stuck around for Irma but now Neal and son are heading to New Jersey to stay with her sister. She plans to return right away to help rebuild her home on the island of St. John.
As for why she didn't evacuate for Irma?
"It's our home, it's where we live and we need to be there to help people," she said.
In Puerto Rico, there are warnings that a direct hit could leave the island without power for weeks. Officials have ordered the rationing of basic supplies like baby formula, water, milk, batteries and flashlights.
