UPDATE: 'Extremely dangerous' Hurricane Maria upgraded to CATEGORY FOUR hurricane

Last updated: September 19, 2017 at 0:12 am

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Hurricane Maria has strengthened to a category four hurricane and should be regarded as "extremely dangerous", US forecasters are warning.

The storm, which is currently heading west-northwest at 9mph (15kmph), is due to cross over the Leeward Islands during Monday night local time.

The string of nations are bracing themselves for possibly devastating effects just weeks the terrible damage caused by Hurricane Irma. Maria is moving across roughly the same path as Irma.

Despite it's movement slowing during the day, sustained winds have increased to 130mph (215kmph).

The latest update places the eye of the hurricane just 35 miles (55km) from Martinique and 45 miles (70km) from Dominica.

All schools on Dominica were closed today, and all government business was suspended other than essential services.

Earlier today Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, said: “NEPO [the National Emergency Planning Organization] is currently meeting to go over final arrangements on our preparation for Hurricane Maria.”

Hurricane warnings have been issued for Guadeloupe, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Martinique, St Lucia and the US and British Virgin Islands.

St Lucia's meteorological service has changed the hurricane warning issued earlier to a tropical storm warning.

WATCH HERE: SKERRIT'S PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF HURRICANE MARIA

Emerson Anthony, WIC News reporter in Dominica, said that people are gearing up for the worst.

“Irma left Dominica almost completely unharmed. Maria looks like it could be a different story. We hope not, but preparations are at an advanced stage for a bad outcome.”

In the French territory of Guadeloupe, schools, businesses and government buildings have all been closed and severe flooding is predicted in low-lying parts of the islands.

Michelle Platin, speaking to WIC News from St Lucia, said: "The rain just came down heavily with strong winds, where I am at.

"Martinique and Guadeloupe will be taking the wrath of this, sadly."

A hurricane watch is in effect for Puerto Rico, St Martin, St Barts, Saba, St Eustatius and Anguilla.

The most southerly point of the Leeward Islands - where Maria will first strike - includes Antigua and Barbuda.

Barbuda was evacuated earlier this month after being battered by Irma.

"On the forecast track, the center of Maria will move near Dominica and the adjacent Leeward Islands during the next few hours, over the extreme northeastern Caribbean Sea the remainder of tonight and Tuesday, and approach Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Tuesday night and Wednesday," said the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.

"Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 to 36 hours, and Maria is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane during the next couple of days."

St Kitts and Nevis 'prepared for Hurricane Maria'

Some of these islands are still recovering after being hit by Hurricane Irma, one of the strongest storms in recorded history.

The category five hurricane which left at least 37 people dead and caused billions of dollars' worth of damage.

"[Hurricane Maria] could cause potentially more casualties and fatalities than Irma did," Lt Col Paul Maynard, a Royal Marine deployed to the British Virgin Islands, told the Press Association.

According to the latest forecasts, Maria is expected to bring between six and 12 inches of rainfall – with some areas experiencing up to 20.

The government in St Kitts and Nevis have urged islanders to “take all the necessary precautions in ensuring that they are in a state of preparedness” for Maria.

Elmo Burke, senior meteorological officer at St Kitts Meteorological Office, said that Hurricane Maria is expected to pass "uncomfortably close" to St Kitts and Nevis.

WATCH: Flooding in Martinique

All schools in the federation closed from around midday today, and all government offices stopped business at 2pm.

Tomorrow is the country's Independence Day but all planned government activities for the rest of the week have been cancelled until further notice.

In an address this evening, Prime Minister Timothy Harris said despite Maria predicted to pass southeast of the country, people should "still expect to be affected by hurricane-force winds for several hours."

[caption id="attachment_5735" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Graphic from the National Hurricane Center.[/caption]

In Dominica, the office of the prime minister said that shelter managers have been advised to open all shelters.

“Cots and mattresses are being sent to these shelters,” it added.

The latest information from the Dominica Meteorological Service echoed the words of the National Hurricane Center.

Swells generated by Maria are expected to begin affecting the Lesser Antilles by tonight – causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, and coastal flooding.

Residents advised to seek shelter

Cecil Shillingford, the Dominican government’s advisor on disaster management, said at a press conference last night that when Maria passes Dominica it will be a category two hurricane of 100 miles per hour.

“We would like all people living in vulnerable areas, and that could be the waterfront coastal communities, anybody living close to rivers, ravines or waterways to monitor activities and take a decision early if you need to move,” he said.

“We are talking about areas like Coulibistrie, Colihaut, Dublanc, Bioche, Pichlen, Paradise Valley, Bath Estate, Calibishie which is a very low-lying area on the east coast, Campbell, and we are not actually asking people to move out of these communities, what we are saying is to monitor the situation if you live close to a ravine, of course monitor the height and at some time make a decision early to move into a safe area.

“It could be a public shelter, it could be friends and family, whatever is the best option you want to use.”

The St Lucia Met Service has warned that those living in area prone to flooding and landslides should “take all necessary precautions against these hazards”.

Earlier today a landslide was reported in Anse La Raye, although details are yet to be confirmed.

VC Bird International Airport in Antigua closed at 6pm local time this evening, and is expected to remain closed until 9am AST on Wednesday.

Puerto Rico is preparing for strong winds from Maria during Tuesday.