Hurricane Maria’s track across the Caribbean in September 2017 represents one of the most devastating meteorological events in modern history. This long-lived Cape Verde hurricane carved a path of destruction from the eastern Caribbean through the Dominican Republic and into Puerto Rico, leaving behind a legacy of catastrophic damage and profound humanitarian consequences. Understanding the precise track of Hurricane Maria is essential for analyzing the storm’s impacts, improving future forecasts, and preparing vulnerable regions for similar events.
Genesis and Initial Westward Trajectory
Hurricane Maria originated from a tropical wave that departed the western coast of Africa on September 12, 2017. Moving westward within a favorable environment characterized by warm sea surface temperatures and low vertical wind shear, the system organized into a tropical depression approximately 615 miles east of Barbados. By the evening of September 16, the depression had intensified into a tropical storm, earning the name Maria as it began a steady west-northwest track that would ultimately place it on a collision course with the Leeward Islands.
Landfall in the Lesser Antilles and Intensification
Maria’s track brought it directly through the northern Leeward Islands, with Dominica experiencing a direct hit from the powerful eyewall. The storm continued its relentless advance, reaching catastrophic Category 5 status just before making landfall on the island of Dominica on September 18. With sustained winds of 165 mph, Maria caused widespread devastation across the island nation, flattening structures and stripping vegetation. The storm then crossed the Caribbean Sea, maintaining its intensity as it approached the densely populated island of Puerto Rico.
Impact on Dominica
Direct eyewall passage caused near-total destruction of infrastructure.
Communications were severed as cellular towers and internet cables were obliterated.
Widespread deforestation occurred as trees were stripped of leaves and branches.
The capital, Roseau, experienced catastrophic damage from flash flooding and storm surge.
Catastrophic Landfall in Puerto Rico
On September 20, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico near Yabucoa as a high-end Category 4 hurricane. The storm’s track placed the entire island within the most destructive quadrant, where storm surge and extreme winds combined to cripple the island. The eye passed just south of the capital, San Juan, but the surrounding mountainous terrain amplified rainfall and triggered catastrophic landslides. The damage to Puerto Rico’s power grid was total, plunging the territory into a darkness that persisted for months.
