NHC expects Maria to miss GoM

Hurricane Maria, a Category 2 storm, will hit the Leeward Islands on the edge of the Caribbean Sea on Sept. 18 threatening areas that are still coping with the devastation brought by Hurricane Irma two weeks ago. Predictions call for it to pass straight over Puerto Rico on Sept. 20. The hurricane is headed in a NNW direction. The Keesler AFB, Miss.-based reserve unit known as the “Hurricane Hunters” flew on a route in and around Hurricane Maria on Sept. 18 to investigate the storm's development, according to the hurricane center. (Source: NPR 09/18/17) Maritime interests in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic are on alert since the two previous hurricanes this month have landed along Gulf coastlines. UPDATE: The National Hurricane Center expects Hurricane Maria to make a northerly turn and stay out of the Gulf of Mexico.