Hurricanes Harvey and Irma were some of the strongest and most devastating recorded in history. But this year’s hurricane season is far from over.
With cleanup and recovery efforts underway for the storms, two others are on the way. The U.S. National Hurricane Centre (NHC) is warning that both Hurricane Maria and Jose will be intense as they head to toward land. And the season itself, according to The Weather Network, is expected to last well into October.
Here’s a look at what has happened this hurricane season, and what’s still in store.
Incoming: Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Maria grew into a Category 3 storm Monday, as it circled toward Caribbean islands already reeling from Irma’s damage.
The storm’s path is expected to hit Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, after it strengthens to a Category 4 hurricane.
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As of Monday morning, U.S. National Hurricane Center said Maria had maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h. It was centred about 150 kilometres east-southeast of the island of Dominica – or 95 kilometres east of Martinique – and heading west-northwest.
READ MORE: Hurricane Maria strengthens to Category 3 storm, heads for battered Caribbean islands
The Canadian government has advised travellers to avoid the Caribbean. It added on its website that those already in the area should leave as soon as it is safely possible.
Incoming: Hurricane Jose
While Maria is strengthening, Jose is expected to weaken over the coming days. But the storm will retain its hurricane status until Tuesday, the NHC said Monday.
The hurricane is currently about 620 kilometres west of Bermuda, with sustained winds of 140 km/h.
The centre of the storm is expected to pass well offshore of North Carolina Monday, and well to the east of New Jersey on Wednesday, the NHC added.
WATCH: Dramatic images from space show Hurricane Jose’s scale
Recovery mode: Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Irma slammed into the Caribbean and Florida earlier in September. The storm’s death toll is at least 33, and it has left extensive damage in several Caribbean islands.
While there were numerous emergency flights to evacuate tourists from the islands, several Canadians were stranded on islands while the hurricane hit.
Florida officials confirmed Monday that nearly $2 billion in claims to insurers for damage from the storm have been filed. Most of the claims involve damage to homes.
READ MORE: Alberta couple home after being stranded in St. Maarten after Hurricane Irma
Recovery mode: Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey was the first major storm of the season, and while it hit Houston weeks ago on Aug. 26, recovery efforts are very much still underway.
According to The Washington Post, the massive storm and resulting flooding left 82 dead, widespread floods damaged buildings and infrastructure.
WATCH: Ongoing coverage of Hurricane Harvey
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Trump agrees to $7.9B Hurricane Harvey relief bill
On Sept. 7, the U.S. House of Representatives approved $7.9 billion in disaster relief funding for Harvey victims. U.S. President Donald Trump also pledged to donate $1 million of his own savings to the cause. The government’s aid package is likely to be the first of several as recovery efforts get underway.
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Other storms this season
Warnings and watches have also been issued for several other storms this hurricane season.
The NHC is currently issuing advisories for tropical storms Norma, Otis, and Lee.
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There are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect for Norma, but it is heading toward the Baja California peninsula. Lee and Otis are in the Pacific, but are not threatening land.
— With files from Reuters, The Associated Press
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