Hurricane Maria, at 5am was located near latitude 21.6 North, longitude 70.6 West. Maria is moving toward the northwest near 7 mph (11 km/h), and a motion toward the north-northwest is expected later today and Saturday. On the forecast track, Maria's eye will move near or just east of the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas today ; caused the death by drowning of a 45-year-old man who attempted to cross, in the morning of September 21st, the Grand Ravine river, between the 4th and 6th sections of the same name, which was in flood. Two people were also killed by lightning in Cornillon.

On the other hand, beginning of floods were recorded at midday on Thursday, September 21, at Ferrier, Bocozel and Grande Saline (locality of Saint-Marc), consequences of the rising waters of the rivers. It should be pointed out that some thirty provisional shelters have already been opened in the North-East, North-West and Artibonite.

The Ministry of the Interior and Local Authorities (MICT) reminds the public that cabotage operations remain prohibited throughout the North coast.

Similarly, schools will be closed on Friday, September 22 in the departments of North, North-East and North-West.

The population as a whole, in particular the inhabitants of areas potentially at risk of landslides, of flooding, are called to vigilance, to follow scrupulously the instructions of safety and not to wait at the last moment to go in a safe place.

HL/ HaitiLibre