Hurricane Dorian hitting British and US Virgin Islands; heading to Puerto Rico

Dorian, which passed the Eastern Caribbean earlier this week as a Tropical Storm was Wednesday upgraded to a hurricane near the British and US Virgin Islands.

Forecasters on Wednesday afternoon placed it at latitude 18.3 North, longitude 65.0 West or directly over St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.  It is expected to impact the British and US Virgin Islands this afternoon and then move over open waters east of the south-eastern Bahamas.  A hurricane watch has been issued for Puerto Rico.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts.  Dorian is expected to continue strengthening over the next few days.

Source: CARICOM TODAY