Hurricane Maria batters Puerto Rico with winds of 155 miles per hour

Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico on Wednesday morning. 

Having hit near the city of Yabucoa, the island - which has a population of nearly 3.3 million - is weathering winds of 155 miles per hour.

Having been urged by the local government, locals have residence in shelters across the country. 

The storm is a category four hurricane, the winds only two miles per hour short of category five status. 

Residents in low-lying areas have been evacuated and there have been calls for rescue across the island. 

Hurricane Maria is the first hurricane of Category 4 strength to hit the island in nearly eight decades.