Dominican provinces on red alert for Maria

The number of Dominican Republic provinces on red alert have been raised as Hurricane Maria approaches the Caribbean nation, with the effects of the powerful storm expected to hit within hours.

The Emergency Operations Centre (COE) says 1,084 people have evacuated from areas vulnerable to flooding to the homes of relatives and friends.

According to current projections, Maria will be located between 75 and 125 kilometres northeast of Cape Engano, near the tourist resort of Punta Cana, on Thusday local time.

The storm could bring rain amounting to between 150 and 300 millimetres, with some areas receiving up to 500 mm.

Maria's winds have been declining in strength after it made landfall in southeastern Puerto Rico and it has been downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 4 storm, according to the US-based National Hurricane Centre.