‘We should not underestimate this storm.’ Puerto Rico already feeling impact from Fiona
Puerto Rico is already feeling the effects of Tropical Storm Fiona as it barrels toward the island, and it is forecast to become even stronger.
The storm is not expected to be as strong as Hurricane Maria, which devastated the island five years ago, but heavy rainfall will likely pummel the island for hours.
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi declared a state of emergency Saturday, and during an emergency management conference to discuss resources the power went out.
The power went out during the Puerto Rico government’s Fiona emergency management conference. The storm hasn’t gone over the island yet https://t.co/qEG8DdyaZL
— Syra Ortiz Blanes (@syraob) September 17, 2022
“We ask for calm, but let us be active,” he said during the presser. “We are already starting to feel its effects. We should not underestimate this storm.”
Just over 52,000 people are without power across Arecibo, Bayamon, Carolina, Caguas, Mayaguez, Ponce and San Juan, according to LUMA Energy, which provides power to 1.5 million people.
A medida que la tormenta tropical Fiona se aproxima a Puerto Rico, nuestro equipo completo de LUMA de más de 3,000 empleados está y continuará respondiendo a los impactos del clima severo y a las interrupciones de servicio lo más rápido y seguro posible durante el fin de semana. pic.twitter.com/nzCX8nsdVx
— LUMA Puerto Rico (@lumaenergypr) September 17, 2022
According to Telemundo Puerto Rico, Pierluisi is advising residents to stay in their homes and not to go out into the street as flash flooding could be possible.
As part of the state of emergency, the government has made available more than $500 million in emergency funds, the station reported.
Fiona is expected to become a hurricane by Sunday while it moves near Puerto Rico, according to the National Hurricane Center.
It is currently more than a hundred miles from St. Croix and bringing heavy rains to the Leeward Islands.
A hurricane warning is currently in effect for Puerto Rico, which means in 36 hours tropical-storm-force winds should start hitting the island, as of the hurricane center’s 2 p.m. advisory.
Puerto Rico could see 12 to 16 inches of rain, but the eastern and southern regions could get up to 20 inches. Local flooding is anticipated and storm surge may be 1 to 3 feet.
