Hurricane Fiona is taking aim at northeastern Canada. Forecasters warn that it could be one of the strongest storms on record for the region.
Hurricanes are relatively rare in Canada, where many storms weaken as they reach colder waters. As a result, AccuWeather meteorologists said Fiona"will likely be the most intense storm on record" in terms of the magnitude of the wind gusts.Amanda McDougall, mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality, said officials were preparing a shelter ahead of the storm.Hurricane Fiona pounded Bermuda early Friday with heavy rain and wind as authorities opened shelters and closed schools.
Elevated water levels and"large and destructive waves" are expected to continue in Bermuda Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Fiona had already kicked up massive waves as it approached the island, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reporting waves of about 50 feet on Thursday.More than 60% of households in Puerto Rico remained without power Thursday. A third remained without water.
Puerto Rico’s Electric Energy Authority Director Josué Colón said areas less affected by Fiona should have power by early Friday, but officials did not say when other areas would have power back.After destroying roads and bridges and causing mudslides, Fiona left hundreds of Puerto Ricans isolated without basic necessities, including food, water and medicine.
At least five people have died after Hurricane Fiona — two in Puerto Rico, two in the Dominican Republic and one in the French island of Guadeloupe. President Joe Biden on Thursday said he is committing the full force of the federal government to help the island recover from Fiona.