Hurricane warning for Puerto Rico, watch for the Dominican Republic as Fiona approaches
It’s still Tropical Storm Fiona, but it’s expected to be Hurricane Fiona by the end of the weekend and there’s a hurricane warning in Puerto Rico, where Fiona is starting to knock out power.
“Life-threatening flooding and mudslides possible across Puerto Rico from Fiona during the next several days,” the National Hurricane Center.
As of the 8 p.m. advisory, Fiona had 60 mph maximum sustained winds that extended 140 miles from its center.
Fiona’s projected to make a hard swing north well before approaching the continental United States.
After becoming a Category 1 hurricane as it nears Puerto Rico, Fiona will continue to strength to a Category 2 early next week.
Where is Tropical Storm Fiona and where is it going?
Fiona is about 75 miles south of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ St. Croix and 145 miles southeast of Ponce, Puerto Rico, the NHC said. It is slowly moving west-northwest at 8 mph.
“A northwestward motion is forecast to begin on Sunday and continue through Tuesday,” the 8 p.m. advisory said. “On the forecast track, the center of Fiona will move south of the U.S. Virgin Islands this evening, approach Puerto Rico tonight, and move across Puerto Rico by Sunday afternoon.”
What areas are under watches and warnings?
A hurricane warning is in effect for Puerto Rico. That means in 36 hours, tropical storm force winds should start to hit the area.
Hurricane watches are in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic’s south coast from Cabo Engano to Cabo Caucedo and the north coast from Cabo Engao west to Puerto Plata.
The U.S. Coast Guard has set port condition Zulu for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. That means no vessels can enter without permission of the port captain and, in fact, all vessel movements are prohibited. Other than storm preparation, all waterfront operations are suspended.
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for the above areas as well as the British Virgin Islands and St. Barthelemy. Look for tropical storm conditions in the Leeward Islands and both sets of Virgin Islands from Saturday morning through Saturday night.
The north and south coasts of the Dominican Republic, from Cabo Caucedo to Barahona, are under a tropical storm watch.
Tropical storm warnings have been discontinued for Saba, St. Eustatius, Guadeloupe, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin and Sint Maarten.
How much rain and storm surge should be expected?
Puerto Rico could get 12 to 16 inches of rain generally, but the eastern and southern regions could get up to 20 inches. The storm surge is forecast to be 1 to 3 feet, and some local flooding is anticipated.
That’s the same storm surge expected for parts of the Dominican Republic. Fiona’s forecast to dump 4 to 8 inches of rain across most of the country, but some east coast areas could get 12 inches.
The Turks and Caicos could get 4 to 10 inches of rain. The U.S. and British Virgin Islands could get 10 inches in some areas, with most areas getting 4 to 6 inches. Haiti’s rainfall is expected to measure 1 to 3 inches with 4 inches in isolated areas. The Leeward Islands and Northern Windward Islands: 2 to 4 inches of rain.
“Very heavy rains and flooding have occurred over portions of the Leeward Islands since Friday,” the hurricane center said.
This story was originally published September 17, 2022 at 9:03 AM.
