Eye of Maria is over Puerto Rico
Widespread devastation is possible as the storm pummels the island, which is already reeling from a financial crisis.
"Maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph (240 km/h) with higher gusts. Maria is an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, and it is forecast to retain this intensity while it moves across Puerto Rico," the NHC reported in its latest update.
On the forecast track, the eye will move across the island over the next six hours and then emerge on the northern coast afterwards. As it moves back over water, it will strengthen.
Then it will move west and pass along the eastern and northern coast of the Dominican Republic before turning sharply north.
