Hurricane Fiona: Puerto Rico's catastrophic floods; next?

After becoming a hurricane on Sunday morning Fiona made landfall in the southwestern corner of Puerto Rico at 3:20 pm Sunday, near Punta Tocón.

Fiona has also lost forward speed which had brought catastrophic rains to the small Caribbean Island as the rain bands have been swinging, nonstop, over the same regions.

Across the southeastern portion of Puerto Rico, extreme rainfall is expected. As much as 30 inches are possible, which amounts gradually decrease as you move to the northeast of the island.

From Fajardo to Ponce there could be near 25 inches of rain and parts of Isabela could receive up to 8 inches of rain with some isolated spots with up to 10 inches. The heavy rainbands are expected to continue as the hurricane makes a turn north and Puerto Rico stays on the right side of Fiona, which tends to be the most active with rain and winds. Extreme risk for mudslides and landslides across the higher terrain.

The island reported having no electricity on Sunday afternoon. Puerto Rico has been embattled by the failing electric grid for many years. Tensions between residents and the electric company have increased since Hurricane Maria hit the island in September 2020. Constant power outages are common, but once again the island is left completely in the dark after a hurricane strikes.

Fiona is expected to bring torrential rains to The Dominican Republic. On Sunday evening, the National Hurricane Center shifted the track a bit west, and Fiona is forecast to make landfall in the far easter portion of the Dominican Republic near Punta Cana in the Altagracia province on Monday. The Dominican Republic could receive up to 12 inches of rain as Fiona crosses the country and turns north.

The slow movement, which has placed Puerto Rico in a bad spot and under torrential, nonstop rains, will start to change as the system makes the much-awaited turn to the north overnight into Monday morning.

Fiona will continue strengthening. Under the current track, it will not pass much terrain and any terrain that it passes now it fair flat, not enough to disrupt it. Hurricane hunters investigated the system on Sunday and found the maximum sustained winds at 85 mph, but it will likely become a major category hurricane as the system pulls north of Turk and Caicos into the subtropical Atlantic on Tuesday.

The short answer is no. There will be increasing seas and the risk of rip currents, but the system will not make an unexpected turn or directly impact the U.S. East coast. There is currently a weak cold front that is helping the system make the north turn and there is a stronger cold front making a move southward midweek, which will keep Fiona well to the east of the contiguous U.S. and turning further into the central Atlantic.

Fiona, under the track released on Sunday evening, should remain about 600 miles east of Florida.

Bermuda could be dealing with Major Hurricane Fiona on Thursday night into Friday. We will monitor the evolution closely and bring you prompt updates throughout the week.