Tracking Hurricane Fiona: 30 Inches of Rain Possible for Blacked-Out Puerto Rico; DR Braces

Hurricane Fiona made landfall along the southwestern coast of Puerto Rico Sunday afternoon, lashing the island — already in the midst of a power blackout — with 85 mph sustained winds ahead of potential “historic” levels of rain, according to radar analysis by the National Hurricane Center.

Up to 30 inches of rain are possible in spots amid torrential downpours that are expected to trigger catastrophic flooding and life-threatening mudslides in Puerto Rico. U.S. President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency in the U.S. territory as the eye drew nearer, while the head of its emergency management office told people “it’s time to take action.”

Luma, the company that operates power transmission and distribution, said bad weather, including winds of 80 mph, had disrupted transmission lines, leading to “a blackout on all the island.” Wind gusts up to 100 mph are expected to damage property and intensify power problems.

A hurricane warning is in effect for Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra, as well as the coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Caucedo to Cabo France Viejo. A watch is in effect for the north coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Frances Viego westward to Puerto Plata.

Fiona could make a second landfall in the Dominican Republic at some point early Monday. It’s expected to strengthen to a category 2 hurricane that night.

Puerto Rico is expected to see a widespread 12 to 16 inches of rain from the storm, with up to 30 inches possible in spots across eastern and southern Puerto Rico. Winds should ease Monday afternoon, with rain starting to become intermittent by evening.

The far eastern edge of the Dominican Republic could see hurricane-force winds Sunday night, as the heaviest rain is expected to hit late Sunday into Monday. Northern and eastern parts of the Dominican Republic should see a widespread 4 to 8 inches with up to a foot possible along the northeast coast, according to NHC.

The U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands are under a tropical storm warning, as is the north coast of the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos and the southeastern Bahamas. A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the south coast of the Dominican Republic. Additional watches and warnings may emerge later in the day.

A hurricane warning is in effect for Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra and the coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Caucedo to Cabo Francés Viejo

As of the National Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. update, Fiona was moving toward the northwest and is expected to continue moving in that direction through Monday, followed by a turn to the north-northwest on Tuesday.

On the current track, the center of Fiona will move near the northern coast of the Dominican Republic Sunday night and Monday and near or to the east of the Turks and Caicos Islands on Tuesday. to pass near or over southwestern and western Puerto Rico Sunday afternoon and evening.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles. Strengthening is forecast over the next 48 hours.