Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are preparing for Tropical Storm Fiona, which will bring heavy rain and possible flash flooding and mudslides this weekend.
Tropical storm warnings are in place for Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands, while a tropical storm warning has been issued for the Dominican Republic.
The National Hurricane Center is calling for up to 1 foot of rain in Puerto Rico this weekend. Widespread power outages are possible across the island.
A satellite image shows the building of Tropical Storm Fiona east of Puerto Rico, September 16, 2022. Tropical storm warnings are in effect for the northern Leeward Islands, and tropical storm warnings are in effect for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
NOAA
Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin Friday afternoon over the northern Leeward Islands.
Fiona is expected to get slightly stronger and could be a strong tropical storm as it moves south of Puerto Rico on Saturday and Sunday with winds of 65 miles per hour. (A Category 1 hurricane starts at 74 miles per hour).
As Fiona approaches the Dominican Republic on Sunday, there could be near hurricane force winds nearing 70mph.
Up to 16 inches of rain and flash flooding are forecast for Sunday and Monday in the Dominican Republic.
The likely path of Tropical Storm Fiona is shown in a graph from NOAA dated September 16, 2022.
NOAA
Up to 15 inches of rain could hit the island of Hispaniola and flash flooding and mudslides are possible.
If Fiona survives the high mountains of Hispaniola, it will resurface in the Atlantic and could strengthen even further into a Category 1 hurricane near Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas.
It’s too early to tell if Fiona will make an impact in the mainland United States.