Caribbean islands

Hurricane Maria pounds Caribbean, at least one dead

It weakened to a four after wreaking "widespread damage" on the island but is now packing maximum sustained winds of 265km/h.

The storm is moving along roughly the same track as Irma, this season's other category five hurricane.

At least one person was killed and two others are missing in Guadeloupe.

Local officials said one person was killed by a falling tree in the overseas French territory, while at least two more people were missing after their ship sank near Desirade, the easternmost island in the archipelago.

Hurricane Maria strengthens as it nears Caribbean islands

Maria is moving roughly along the same path as Hurricane Irma, which devastated the region this month.

Hurricane warnings have been issued for Guadeloupe, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Martinique, St Lucia and the US and British Virgin Islands, and a hurricane watch is in effect for Puerto Rico, St Martin, St Barts, Saba, St Eustatius and Anguilla.

Some of these islands are still recovering after being hit by Irma - a category five hurricane which left at least 37 people dead and caused billions of dollars' worth of damage.

Ten dead as hurricane totals Caribbean islands

The small island of Barbuda is said to be "barely habitable" while officials warn that the French territory of St Martin is almost destroyed, and the death toll is likely to rise.

Meanwhile, two other storms have strengthened to become hurricanes.

Irma, a category five hurricane, the highest possible level, is currently north-east of the Dominican Republic, heading towards Turks and Caicos.