The first effects of the Fiona storm were felt, Friday evening, September 16, in Guadeloupe, placed on red alert for heavy rains and thunderstorms shortly before 6 p.m. (Saturday at midnight, Paris time). Some roads were already waterlogged in the evening, especially in Basse-Terre, where the bulk of the phenomenon is expected during the night.
According to the latest report from Météo-France, the center of storm Fiona was at 6 p.m. over Guadeloupe, where gusty winds were expected “up to 120 kilometers per hour” during the night, as well as torrential rains which could generate “many floods”. Meteorologists have also placed the island on orange alert for “strong winds” and a risk of “waves-submergence”.
“All travel is to be avoided (…), you really have to stay at home” pour “avoid taking risks”insisted the prefect of Guadeloupe, Alexandre Rochatte, Friday evening in the local media.
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The road to Saint Louis, “whose ford has already overflowed”was to be closed at 6 p.m. local time, and the Route de la Traversée at 7 p.m. “due to the risk of falling trees”announced the prefecture in a statement published late Friday afternoon. “Air traffic will be suspended from 7 p.m. tonight until tomorrow, Saturday, at 12 p.m.” and will only resume depending on weather conditions, the statement also said.
Heritage Days postponed
Storm Fiona was initially supposed to touch the Guadeloupe archipelago but “sent a little further south than expected”according to Météo-France, which has placed Martinique on orange alert for “heavy rain and thunderstorms”.
All schools in Guadeloupe closed at noon local time, and many residents tidied the terraces, busy removing potential projectiles that could create damage under the effects of the wind.
In the supermarkets of the island, the queues at the checkout had been long Friday morning. In particular, customers had stocked up on water packs, to compensate for the cuts that often occur during bad weather.
All weekend activities, such as sports competitions or Heritage Days, were canceled due to the arrival of the storm. Heritage Days may be postponed ” at a later date “said the prefecture on Friday morning in a press release.
According to Météo-France, Fiona “formed in the mid-Atlantic on September 15” et “this is the sixth tropical system of the season over the Atlantic basin”. September 16 is also the anniversary of Cyclone Hugo, a category 5 hurricane that devastated the island in 1989.