"This is total devastation," said Carlos Mercader, a spokesman for Puerto Rico's governor. "Puerto Rico, in terms of the infrastructure, will not be the same. ... This is something of historic proportions."
The aircraft measured a maximum flight-level wind of 106 kt to the east of the center and SFMR surface winds as high as 91 kt. The initial intensity is therefore set to 95 kt.
It may take some time for Maria's structure to reorganize itself now that it is back over water. Although the intensity models are not all that enthusiastic about strengthening, the environment looks conducive for intensification, and the NHC forecast lies at the upper bound of the guidance, closest to the HWRF solution. It would not be surprising, however, if Maria eventually strengthens more than shown here.
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
INIT 20/2100Z 18.8N 67.3W 95 KT 110 MPH
12H 21/0600Z 19.5N 68.2W 95 KT 110 MPH
24H 21/1800Z 20.5N 69.3W 100 KT 115 MPH
36H 22/0600Z 21.6N 70.3W 105 KT 120 MPH