As winds slammed Puerto Rico at over 100 miles per hour, the National Hurricane Center warned of ‘catastrophic’ flooding. Hurricane conditions were spreading across portions of the Dominican Republic, with heavy rainfall and flooding continuing across much of Puerto Rico. At 9:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time/GMT) the center of Fiona was located near 18.5, -68.6 with movement NW at 8 mph. The minimum central pressure was 977 mb with maximum sustained winds of about 90 mph.
The storm center has now passed over Puerto Rico. Double-digit rainfall, as much as 20 inches in some places, has been reported. The center of Fiona is now between western Puerto Rico and the eastern side of the Dominican Republic at 9:00 UTC Monday. It is likely the storm will be close to Punta Cana during the early Monday morning hours with heavy rainfall projected.
The National Hurricane Center projects Fiona to turn sharply northward up the eastern coast of the United States over the next few days.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra
* North coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Frances Viejo
westward to Puerto Plata
* Southeastern Bahamas, including the Acklins, Crooked Island, Long
Cay, the Inaguas, Mayaguana, and the Ragged Islands
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* South coast of the Dominican Republic west of Cabo Caucedo to
Barahona
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case, within the next 12 to 24 hours. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
