# 5827
Although Maria remains a minimal tropical storm, warnings and watches have now been issued for the BVI and Puerto Rico.
From the NHC 8am Advisory:
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* GUADELOUPE
* ST. MAARTIN...SABA...AND ST. EUSTATIUS*ANTIGUA...ANGUILLA...BARBUDA...MONTSERRAT... NEVIS...SAINT KITTS AND THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
* U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDSA TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* DOMINICA
* ST BARTHELEMY...ST MARTEEN...AND MARTINIQUE
* PUERTO RICO...INCLUDING VIEQUES AND CULEBRAINTERESTS ELSEWHERE IN THE LESSER ANTILLES... THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC...THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS...AND THE SOUTHEASTERN BAHAMAS SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF MARIA.
Maria is expected to begin slow intensification after passing Puerto Rico, and could be at hurricane strength early next week. It is too soon to tell if Maria will affect the mainland of the United States.
Nevertheless, we are in the heart of hurricane season, and so everyone should have their emergency plan and preparations already in place.
For more on how to go about doing that, NOAA, FEMA, and the American Red Cross have released an updated preparedness guide for the 2011 tropical season.
