Hurricane Maria rips through Dominica, causing widespread devastation

Hurricane Maria, the second major storm to hit the Caribbean ripped through the small island nation of Dominica

Ponce, Puerto Rico: Hurricane Maria, the second major storm to hit the Caribbean this month, crept toward the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Tuesday after it ripped through the small island nation of Dominica, causing widespread devastation.

Downgraded to a Category 4 early on Tuesday, Maria remained an “extremely dangerous hurricane” as it churned about 235 miles (380 km) southeast of St. Croix, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in an advisory.