Wednesday 21 September 2022 07:11 PM US says 'reconsider' travel to Bermuda as Hurricane Fiona prepares to hit ... trends now
Hurricane Fiona has been elevated to a Category 4 storm after it tore through the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, where 3.2 million are still without power.
Fiona has maintained winds upward of 130mph and is currently centered 700 miles southwest of Bermuda, where it is set to land late Thursday or Friday, the US National Hurricane Center said.
Because of recent destruction in the Caribbean and 'the potential impact of Hurricane Fiona,' the US State Department has advised travelers to 'reconsider' visiting Bermuda.
At least four deaths have been caused by the storm in the Caribbean, according to a report by the Associated Press, while 26 per cent of Puerto Ricans are without power as of Wednesday morning.
Luma, the company which presides over the island's power, transmission and distribution, said Fiona 'has severely impacted electrical infrastructure and generation facilities throughout (Puerto Rico).'
'We want to make it very clear that efforts to restore and reenergize continue and are being affected by severe flooding, impassable roads, downed trees, deteriorating equipment and downed lines.'
Only 55% of Puerto Rico have access to water service as of Wednesday.
Some Puerto Rico residents say Fiona has proven more challenging than Hurricane Maria, which caused the deaths of an estimated 2,975 people and left 1.5 million without power in 2017.
'We thought we had a bad experience with Maria, but this is worse,' said Gerardo Rodriguez.
Minimal damage and no deaths were reported in the Turks and Caicos Islands after the storm passed through Grand Turk Tuesday morning.
Government officials issued a curfew while urging all residents to avoid flood-prone areas.
'Turks and Caicos had a phenomenal experience over the past 24 hours,' said Deputy Gov. Anya Williams. 'It certainly came with its share of challenges.'
Hurricane Fiona is projected to hit Bermuda by Friday morning before reaching northeastern Canada by Saturday and early Sunday
The projected weather impact from Fiona's eventual landing in Canada
A woman looks at her water-damaged belongings after flooding caused by Hurricane Fiona tore through her home in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico on Tuesday
Footprints are marked on the mud after Hurricane Fiona passed over the area in Toa Baja
Fallen palm trees lay over the Ports of Call Resort entrance after the passage of Hurricane Fiona in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
A man collects spring water from a mountain in Cayey, Puerto Rico
Nicasio Gil walks through the stagnant water left by the swollen Duey river after the passing of Hurricane Fiona in the Los Sotos neighborhood of Higuey, Dominican Republic
Neighbors work to recover their belongings from the flooding caused by Hurricane Fiona in the Los Sotos neighborhood of Higuey, Dominican Republic
Residents work to recover belongings from flooding caused by Hurricane Fiona in the Los Sotos neighborhood of Higuey, Dominican Republic
Locals clear mud brought by Hurricane Fiona in the Los Sotos neighborhood of Higuey
Neighbors work to recover their belongings that were saved from the flooding caused by Hurricane Fiona at the Los Sotos neighborhood in Higuey
A man collects donated water bottles for drinking after Hurricane Fiona damaged water supplies in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico
Neighbors work to recover their belongings after the flooding caused by Hurricane Fiona in the Los Sotos neighborhood of Higuey, Dominican Republic
Two deaths were recorded in Puerto Rico as a result of the blackout, including one 70-year-old man who burned to death after filling his generator with gasoline as it was running and a 78-year-old man who inhaled toxic gases emitted from his own generator.
More than 1,000 people have been rescued from flood waters on the island.
'The damages that we are seeing are catastrophic,' Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said. 'What we don't want is loss of life.'
Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic will be battered with 'extremely heavy rainfall'
