World / Hurricane Maria Hurricane Maria Continues to Strengthen, Hits 175mph It's expected to remain a category 5 when it hits US Virgin Island, Puerto Rico By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Sep 19, 2017 6:55 PM CDT Copied This photo provided by Frank Phazian shows flooding caused by Hurricane Maria near Le Raizet, Guadeloupe, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017. (Frank Phazian via AP) Category 5 Hurricane Maria's maximum sustained winds have increased to 175mph, the AP reports. The National Hurricane Center in Miami says an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter plane took the reading Tuesday evening as the storm was about 70 miles southeast of St. Croix. Maria is moving west-northwest at 10mph and is expected to pass near the US Virgin Islands on Tuesday night and hit Puerto Rico on Wednesday. story continues below10 Reasons These Shoes Are On Every Healthcare Worker's 2025 WishlistComfortWear shoes provide all-day comfort and pain relief with superior arch support, cushioned foam for all-day comfort, at a fraction of the price of custom orthotics and expensive brandsComfort Ortho WearLearn MoreUndoRob Gronkowski Chooses These Shoes As His FavoriteShoes Much More Comfortable Than Traditional Dress Shoes. Italian Leather and Running Shoe Technology Providing First Class Comfort All Day Long.Wolf & ShepherdLearn MoreUndoNFL Star Rob Gronkowski Loves These ShoesShoes Much More Comfortable Than Traditional Dress Shoes. Italian Leather and Running Shoe Technology Providing First Class Comfort All Day Long.Wolf & ShepherdLearn MoreUndo A hurricane warning was in effect for Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands, as well as St. Kitts, Nevis, and Montserrat and portions of the Dominican Republic. Hurricane center forecasters say it "now appears likely" that Maria will still be at category 5 intensity when it moves over the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Hurricane Maria is expected to bring "life-threatening" flooding from rain and storm surge. (More Hurricane Maria stories.) Report an error