0
Tropical Storm Fiona has been pounding St. Croix with incessant rainfall since Saturday night, and the showers and strong winds — up to 45 mph in certain parts of St. Croix, with higher gusts — have persisted into Sunday morning. A tropical storm warning and hurricane watch remain in effect for the territory, however Puerto Rico is under a hurricane warning, as the storm is expected to become a hurricane today, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Tropical Storm Fiona is now located 80 miles west southwest of St. Croix, and 80 miles southeast of Ponce at 17.1N and 65.8W. The British and U.S. Virgin Islands can expect 4 to 6 inches, maximum of 10 inches on St. Croix.
Attempts to reach the Bryan administration were unsuccessful, but Governor Bryan, VITEMA and other relevant government arms are expected to update residents this morning.
As of 5:11 a.m. Sunday, the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located near latitude 17.1 North, longitude 65.8 West. Fiona is moving toward the west-northwest near 8 mph (13 km/h). A northwestward motion is expected to begin later today and continue through Monday, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest on Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center of Fiona will approach Puerto Rico this morning, and move near or over Puerto Rico this afternoon or evening. Fiona will then move near the northern coast of the Dominican Republic tonight and Monday, and near or to the east of the Turks and Caicos Islands on Tuesday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast, and Fiona is expected to become a hurricane before reaching the southern or southwestern coast of Puerto Rico later today. Additional strengthening is expected on Monday and Tuesday while Fiona moves near the Dominican Republic and over the southwestern Atlantic.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km) from the center. A weather station at Teagues Bay, St. Croix recently reported a wind gust of 59 mph (94 km/h). A wind gust of 55 mph (89 km/h) was recently reported at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix.
Puerto Rico: 12 to 16 inches with local maximum of 25 inches, particularly across eastern and southern Puerto Rico.
