San Juan – Archyde.com
Hurricane Fiona crept towards Puerto Rico on Sunday, threatening to hit this American region with sudden flash floods and life-threatening mudslides, while electricity was already cut off for regarding a third of the island.
The US National Hurricane Center said in an update issued at 1500 GMT, that “the storm is located regarding 80 kilometers south of the city of Ponce, and that the maximum wind speed loaded with it is approaching 130 kilometers per hour, which makes it the strength of a category one hurricane.”
The Puerto Rican government said, “About 551,333 customers out of 1.47 million customers on the island of 3.3 million people. Ports were closed and flights canceled from the main international airport, as Hurricane Fiona prepared to move near or toward Puerto Rico later Sunday.
Heavy rain and mudslides are also expected to hit the Dominican Republic, as the storm advances northwest.
US President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Puerto Rico on Sunday, a measure that authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief operations and take emergency protection measures.
Residents said, “The rain has increased in intensity since Sunday morning, in addition to strong winds.”
According to the National Hurricane Center, large parts of Puerto Rico are expected to see 30 to 40 centimeters of rain, with up to 63.5 centimeters in places.
