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Maria Now a Category 4, Threatens Puerto Rico Wednesday

Hurricane Maria has rapidly intensified into a dangerous Category 4 storm. Catastrophic damage is likely on the island of Dominica tonight, and very possible in Puerto on Wednesday.  The U.S. and British Virgin islands that were heavily damaged by Hurricane Irma just two weeks ago are also likely to experience significant damage from Hurricane Maria.

GOES-16 infrared satellite of Major Hurricane Maria approaching Dominica Monday afternoon.
GOES-16 infrared satellite of Major Hurricane Maria approaching Dominica Monday afternoon.

Once the storm passes Puerto Rico, it is projected to make a more northerly turn and miss the State of Florida.  How close it gets to the state, however, is still a bit in question. Therefore, all Floridians along the Atlantic Coast in hurricane prone areas should still closely monitor trends with Hurricane Maria.

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Jeff Huffman is Chief Meteorologist at the University of Florida in Gainesville. In addition to his full-time position at the university's radio and television stations, WUFT-FM/TV and WRUF-TV, the latter of which he co-founded, Huffman also provides weather coverage to public radio stations throughout Florida