The Hurricane Fiona made landfall in southwestern Puerto Rico on Sunday with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (85 miles), according to the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC, in English), two days before the fifth anniversary of the arrival of Hurricane Maria that devastated the island.
The eye of the hurricane of the third cyclone of the Atlantic season made landfall near Punta Tocon, at 3:20 p.m. local time (7:20 p.m. GMT). The NHC specified that the cyclone, which has “very dangerous winds,” was about 25 kilometers (15 miles) southeast of Mayagüez and was moving northwest at 15 kilometers per hour (9 miles).
The storm has caused a general blackout on the island since shortly after 1:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. GMT), reported the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, the public corporation in charge of electricity generation.
That entity has already managed to restart several generators, a first step towards reestablishing the electrical network, said its director, Josué Colón, in a television interview.
According to established protocols, once that network is reactivated, the authority will first try to restore service to hospitals and other government buildings that offer essential services.
RISK OF DEADLY FLOODING
According to the NHC, the hurricane could produce storm surge flooding of 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 centimeters) over normally dry ground along the eastern and southern coasts of Puerto Rico, as well as on the islands of Vieques and Culebra.
Similarly, Fiona could produce 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 centimeters) of rain, possibly as much as 25 inches (63 centimeters) over portions of Puerto Rico.
“These rains will pose an extreme risk of life-threatening flooding, especially in the southern and eastern parts of the island,” the NHC said.
Fiona, a category 1 hurricane, out of a total of 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, threatens with torrential rains, flooding, mudslides, storm surge and rip currents. The hurricane has “very dangerous winds” which is expected to also affect the Dominican Republic starting at night.
The agency warns that winds can cause damage to well-built wooden homes, especially the roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters.
These winds, he points out, are also a risk for falling trees and branches that can also cause extensive damage to power lines and poles, causing blackouts that could last “a few to several days.”
Fiona will move near the north coast of the Dominican Republic tonight and Monday, and near or east of the Turks and Caicos Islands on Tuesday.
So far in the hurricane season, which began on June 1 and ends on November 30, hurricanes Danielle, Earl and Fiona have formed, while tropical storms Alex, Bonnie and Colin have not reached cyclone strength.
OVERFLOWING RIVERS
The Grande de Loiza River and the Cagüitas River, in the north and center of the island, overflowed in some areas, the United States National Weather Service reported on Twitter.
“Communities along these rivers should consider moving to higher ground immediately,” he added.
According to local media, other rivers overflowed in the southeast of the island, flooding roads and urban areas, and in the mountains and the southwest, several families have lost the roof of their houses due to gusts of wind and have had to shelter in government-approved shelters.
In the morning, the governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi, urged the population to take refuge.
“We ask our people to stay home and seek shelter if they need it. We continue under a hurricane warning, ”he declared at a press conference. “Because of its size, this storm is going to be impacting all of Puerto Rico,” he added.