Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico, causing heavy rainfall and “catastrophic” flooding and landslides across much of the Caribbean island. “Fiona” reached the southwest coast at Punta Tocón with wind speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour.
Photos on social media showed fallen trees, flooding and rescue operations.
“The emergency is not over yet, everyone must stay in a safe place,” Governor Pedro Pierluisi wrote. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic was preparing for Fiona.
The cyclone had gained strength over the Atlantic Ocean and upgraded into a hurricane en route to Puerto Rico.
“The power grid is currently flat due to the impact of the hurricane,” Governor Pierluisi wrote on social media.
The hurricane center warned of torrential rains and mudslides for the US territory of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
“This rainfall will cause life-threatening flash flooding and urban flooding in Puerto Rico and parts of the eastern Dominican Republic, and mudslides and landslides at higher elevations.”
Puerto Rico, an island of just over three million people, is often exposed to storms during hurricane season. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria in particular severely damaged the island.
About 3000 people died. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
