Classified as a Category 4 hurricane, Fiona has already swept through Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, killing at least 10 people. It is currently continuing its meteoric rise towards Canada, propelled by winds of 210 km/h.
Hurricane watch in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Nova Scotia and the Magdalen Islands are particularly targeted by the risk of receiving accumulations that can exceed 200 mm in places and of experiencing gusts above 150 km/h. The Îles-de-la-Madeleine are, moreover, a rather rare occurrence, on hurricane watch.
Risks and expected impacts
Currently, NOAA predicts Fiona to become a Category 2 hurricane, when it makes landfall in Canada Friday night into Saturday. If so, it would only be the third time in history that a Category 2 hurricane has hit Nova Scotia. The last time was Juan in 2003.
Substantial impacts
That being said, its impacts could be substantial: flooding, flash floods and damage associated with the passage of strong gusts – which can reach 150 km/h in the Magdalen Islands – are anticipated. Areas near bodies of water will be particularly vulnerable to inclement weather caused by waves. A tropical storm watch has also been issued for Gaspésie and the Lower North Shore.
Power outages and heavy rain
The Îles-de-la-Madeleine are particularly affected by the possibility of being hit by storm surges likely to cause major power outages to start the weekend. Low risks of experiencing such outages also apply to certain regions of Quebec. As for the rain, the amounts could be significant, reaching up to 200 mm locally.
