After battering Bermuda with heavy rain, sturdy winds and big waves, Hurricane Fiona is taking goal at northeastern Canada as forecasters warn of one of many strongest storms on report for the area.
A hurricane warning is in impact for Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, the Magdalen Islands and the coast of Newfoundland because the US National Hurricane Center forecasts hurricane circumstances might start in Atlantic Canada late Friday.
Fiona, now a Category 4 hurricane, is anticipated to weaken barely Friday. The heart nonetheless expects the storm to be a “large and powerful post-tropical cyclone with hurricane-force winds,” because it rips via northeastern Canada, threatening important coastal flooding and three to six inches of rain with native maximums of as much as 10 inches in some areas.
Parts of Atlantic Canada may even see “life-threatening flooding, damaging hurricane-force wind gusts and dangerous storm surges,” AccuWeather mentioned.
Widespread energy outages are additionally anticipated, mentioned Dave Pickles, chief working officer of the utility firm Nova Scotia Power.
RECOVERY BEGINS:In Puerto Rico, Hurricane Fiona leaves a ‘nightmare.’
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Hurricane Fiona path, location
Friday morning, Fiona was positioned 250 miles north of Bermuda with most sustained winds of 130 mph, in line with the US National Hurricane Center. The storm was racing northeast at 35 mph.
Before passing via Bermuda, the storm devastated giant swaths of the Caribbean, together with Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The Turks and Caicos Islands have been additionally affected by Fiona.
PREVIOUS REPORTS:Hurricane Fiona kicks up massive waves of about 50 feet as Bermuda
Fiona may be ‘historic storm’ in eastern Canada
The Canadian Hurricane Center called Fiona a “historic storm for eastern Canada” and a “potential landmark weather event.”
Hurricanes are comparatively uncommon in Canada, the place many storms weaken as they attain colder waters. As a end result, AccuWeather meteorologists mentioned Fiona “will likely be the most intense storm on record” by way of the magnitude of the wind gusts.
“This could be the storm of a lifetime for some people,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter mentioned.
Amanda McDougall, mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality, mentioned officers have been making ready a shelter forward of the storm.
Fiona drenches Bermuda on method to Canada
Hurricane Fiona pounded Bermuda early Friday with heavy rain and wind as authorities opened shelters and closed faculties.
Elevated water ranges and “large and destructive waves” are anticipated to proceed in Bermuda Friday, in line with the National Hurricane Center. Fiona had already kicked up huge waves because it approached the island, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reporting waves of about 50 toes on Thursday.
HOW TO HELP:Mutual support, nonprofits to assist
Recovery efforts in Puerto Rico after Fiona
More than 60% of households in Puerto Rico remained with out energy Thursday. A 3rd remained with out water.
Puerto Rico’s Electric Energy Authority Director Josué Colón mentioned areas much less affected by Fiona ought to have energy by early Friday, however officers didn’t say when different areas would have energy again.
SEE THE PEOPLE, PLACES IMPACTED:Hurricane Fiona floods properties, streets in Puerto Rico
After destroying roads and bridges and inflicting mudslides, Fiona left a whole lot of Puerto Ricans remoted with out primary requirements, together with meals, water and medication.
At least 5 individuals have died after Hurricane Fiona — two in Puerto Rico, two within the Dominican Republic and one within the French island of Guadeloupe.
President Joe Biden on Thursday mentioned he’s committing the total power of the federal authorities to assist the island get better from Fiona.
“We’re with you. We’re not going to walk away,” Biden mentioned.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Contact News Now Reporter Christine Fernando at cfernando@usatoday.com or comply with her on Twitter at @christinetfern,