Hurricane Maria is continuing its north-westerly path across the Caribbean after the category five hurricane earlier hit St Croix in the US Virgin Islands.

The storm had weakened to a four, but then strengthened again to deliver top sustained wind speeds of 280km/h.

 

The storm is now moving roughly along the same track as Hurricane Irma, which caused widespread destruction a few weeks ago.

 

Officials in Puerto Rico - also in Maria's path - fear debris left by Irma could prove extremely dangerous and there also are concerns that heavy rain could cause landslides.

 

Dominica, which escaped Irma, has been virtually cut off with telecommunications severed and widespread damage to buildings including homes.

 

 

Meanwhile, Antonov Airlines has carried 32 giant generators on behalf of EDF from Chateauroux, France to Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe on the carrier's AN-124-100 aircraft.

 

The generators are needed to provide electricity to France’s Overseas Region of Guadeloupe and Overseas Collectivity of Saint Martin.

 

Paul Furlonger of Antonov said: "This is the first in a series of Antonov Airlines flights that will deliver humanitarian and relief cargo to the Caribbean from the governments of France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.”