Hurricane Maria, the Strongest Puerto Rico Landfall in 89 Years, Unleashes a Siege of Destructive Winds and Flooding

Rating Hurricanes: The Saffir-Simpson Scale

Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, became the strongest Puerto Rico landfalling hurricane since before the Great Depression, and continues to lash the island and the nearby Virgin Islands with destructive winds, flooding rain and storm surge.

(MORE: Hurricane Central | Maria Lashes Dominica With 'Mind-Boggling' Devastation)

This is a developing weather story. For the latest on Hurricane Maria, check out our latest forecast here.