UPDATE - Hurricane Maria batters Dominica, heads to Puerto Rico

ADDS DEATH TOLL, UN CHIEF'S STATEMENT

By Nancy Caouette

MEXICO CITY – Hurricane Maria headed toward Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Tuesday after battering Dominica overnight.

The "extremely dangerous" storm will make landfall on Puerto Rico by Wednesday with 160 mile-per-hour (260 km/h) winds, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Maria left at least one person dead and two missing on the French island of Guadeloupe, media reports said.

The Category 5 hurricane, which is passing over the Caribbean islands just two weeks after Hurricane Irma paved a deadly and similarly destructive path there, caused "extensive damage" in Dominica, according to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

"My greatest fear for the morning is that we will wake to news of serious physical injury and possible deaths as a result of likely landslides triggered by persistent rains,” Skerrit posted on Facebook.

Authorities have yet to publish information about the damage, but Skerrit pleaded for help from other countries and organizations as the storm hit the tiny island and tore the roof off his residence.

"Initial reports are of widespread devastation". Skerrit said. “We will need help, my friend, we will need help of all kinds.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres late Monday evening issued a statement through his spokesman over the hurricane's impact.

"The Secretary-General is saddened by the destruction across the Caribbean region by Hurricane Maria in a context where many islands are already working to respond to the devastation and suffering arising from Hurricane Irma earlier this month," said Stephane Dujarric.

The UN "stands ready to assist" the nations and regions affected, the statement added.

Puerto Rico’s Governor, Ricardo Rossello, declared a state of emergency late Monday as the island braced for "an unprecedented situation”, he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered federal assistance to supplement the local response effort in Puerto Rico.

The National Hurricane Center forecast flash floods in Puerto Rico as water levels could rise to 9 feet (2.74 meters).

"Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion," the center said.

Authorities on the island tried to drive home the point with a dire warning.

"People living in flood areas have to evacuate them…Otherwise, they will die," Public Safety Commissioner Hector Pesquera said at a news conference.

About 450 shelters will be open Tuesday, he said. The government of Puerto Rico also planned food supply to feed 240,000 people for 20 days.

Hurricane warnings have also been issued for many other islands, including St. Kitts and Nevis.