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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Puerto Rico is under a hurricane warning ahead of heavy rains and potential flooding from Tropical Storm Fiona’s arrival.
The National Hurricane Center said Fiona’s track has gone further south, with the storm positioned around 150 miles southeast of Ponce, Puerto Rico as of the 11 p.m. update. The storm had max sustained winds of 60 mph and was moving west-northwest at 8 mph.
While the storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the Caribbean, Fiona is expected to turn north sooner rather than later. Reuters reported that a man died on Friday after his home on the French island of Guadeloupe was swept away.
“Fiona is much better organized and a little stronger this morning,” meteorologist Amanda Holly said. “Forecast models are in much better agreement that Fiona will turn to the north sooner and stay well to the east of Florida. We have higher confidence that this storm will likely have no impact here in Tampa Bay.”
Fiona is expected to become a hurricane before reaching Puerto Rico on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
The island is expected to get around 12 to 16 inches of rain, with 20 inches possible for localities in the southern region. The rains could cause flash and urban flooding and mudslides in both the eastern parts of the Dominican Republic and the southern and eastern regions of Puerto Rico, according to the NHC.
A hurricane warning is in effect for:
- Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra
- Eastern Dominican Republic from Cabo Caucedo to Cabo Frances Viejo
A hurricane watch is now in effect for:
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- North coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano westward to Puerto Plata
A tropical storm warning is in effect for:
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- British Virgin Islands
- North coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano westward to Puerto Plata
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- South coast of the Dominican Republic west of Cabo Caucedo to Barahona
