natural disasters
Caribbean: Hurricane Fiona upgraded
Flooded homes on Salinas Beach in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona swept through the area. photo
© Alejandro Granadillo/AP/dpa
After “Fiona” had caused severe damage in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, the hurricane has now brought heavy rain to other Caribbean islands.
Storm Fiona has increased in strength and is now considered a second-highest category hurricane. With speeds of up to 210 kilometers per hour, the hurricane reached strength four (of five), the US hurricane center announced on Wednesday. “Fiona” continues to cause severe flooding in parts of the Caribbean.
The storm had previously brought heavy rain to the Turks and Caicos Islands as a Category 3 hurricane. The government of the British Overseas Territory had called on around 30,000 residents to stay at home. The storm is currently approaching Bermuda, the hurricane center said. Late Friday he could cause heavy rain and strong winds on Canada’s Atlantic coast.
“Fiona” made landfall in Puerto Rico on Sunday as a category one hurricane and caused severe damage there. Governor Pedro Pierluisi called the extent of the destruction “catastrophic”. At least two people died, he said. Most of the residents were still without power on Tuesday.
That day also marked the fifth anniversary of the devastating passage of Hurricane Maria, which killed almost 3,000 people. Reconstruction is far from complete and is now being made even more difficult. On Monday, “Fiona” had already landed in the Dominican Republic near the popular tourist city of Punta Cana.