Hurricane Fiona grew more powerful Tuesday as it rolled past Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic after pounding the islands with up to 30 inches of rain, triggering overwhelming flooding, mudslides, and leaving much of the islands in ruin.
More than 80% of Puerto Rico remained without power Tuesday, more than 24 hours after the storm shut down the entire electrical system. More than 100,000 homes and businesses had no running water.
At least three deaths were reported, two in Puerto Rico and one in the Dominican Republic.
More rain was forecast through the week and conditions were not expected to vastly improve. And Fiona is forecast to strengthen during the next couple of days, the weather service says.
“Catastrophic and life-threatening flash, urban, and moderate to major river flooding, as well as mudslides, are likely for southern and eastern Puerto Rico through Tuesday due the rainfall from Hurricane Fiona,” the National Weather Service warned.
Hurricane Fiona floods homes, streets in Puerto Rico: See the people and places impacted
Developments:
►Hurricane conditions were slamming Grand Turk, capital of the small British territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands, on Tuesday after the government imposed a curfew and urged people to flee flood-prone areas.
►Authorities said at least 2,300 people and some 250 pets remained in shelters across the island .
Here’s what we know:
Hurricane Fiona strengthens to Category 3 storm
The storm strengthened to a Category 3 storm overnight with sustained winds of 115 mph. The hurricane, moving north-northwest at 10 mph, was centered about 10 miles off the coast of Grand Turk Island. Hurricane conditions were occurring over the Turks and Caicos and should persist through this morning, the National Weather Service said. Heavy rains there will continue through this afternoon with continued life-threatening flooding, the weather service said.
Tropical storm conditions should be spreading over portions of the southeastern Bahamas through the day.
More rain for overwhelmed Puerto Rico
The weather service warned that another 1 to 4 inches of rain will fall over much of Puerto Rico into Wednesday morning. Storm totals have reached 12 to 20 inches in most areas but some locations have seen up to 35 inches.
“Localized additional flash and urban flooding is possible in southern portions of Puerto Rico,” the weather service said.
2,500 injured in coastal Salinas
In hard-hit Salinas, a municipality of about 30,000 people on the southern coast of Puerto Rico, Mayor Karilyn Bonilla estimated that 2,500 people required medical assistance.
The National Guard led a team of responders that conducted more than 500 water rescues, and Bonilla expressed gratitude for life saving efforts “that put their own at risk.”
“We did not lose lives and that is thanks to all of you. My gratitude on behalf of my people,” she wrote in a Facebook post. “After finishing the response phase, we start with recovery work and support for the victims.”
Biden promises more federal aid
AccuWeather estimated the economic impact on the island from Fiona to be about $10 billion. President Joe Biden, who previously declared a state of emergency to release federal aid to Puerto Rico, said he had spoken with Gov. Pedro Pierluisi late Monday. Biden promised to increase support “substantially” in the coming days.
“Jill and I are keeping the people of Puerto Rico in our prayers as Hurricane Fiona passes over your beautiful island,” Biden tweeted. “We are here for you, and we will get through this together.”
Puerto Rico is still recovering from Hurricane Maria 5 years ago
Fiona slammed Puerto Rico almost five years to the day after Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm with wind speeds exceeding 170 mph, slammed across the island.
Maria’s death toll reached nearly 3,000 people, destroyed the power grid and devastated tens pf thousands of homes – thousands of which remain covered by tarps.
Bridge built after Maria swept away by Fiona
The destruction wrought across the island included a bridge in the Puerto Rican city of Utuado that was built following Hurricane Maria. The bridge over the Guaonica River in the central mountain region, was destroyed Sunday, the same day Fiona made landfall on the island.
U.S. House Delegate Roberto Lefranc Fortuño posted video of the bridge, known as PR-123, tearing apart and washing away. People can be heard screaming amid the loud clattering of metal as a man stands with his hands on his head in disbelief.
Dominican Republic still assessing damages
In the Dominican Republic, President Luis Abinader said authorities would need several days to assess the storm’s effects.
Officials closed ports and beaches and told most people to stay home from work. The hurricane left several highways blocked, and a tourist pier in the town of Miches was badly damaged by high waves. At least four international airports were closed, officials said.
Abinader pledged to restore drinking water and electrical service to affected communities “as soon as possible.”
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Contributing: The Associated Press
