Tracking Hurricane Fiona: Island-wide power outage in Puerto Rico, everything you need to know

Sunday saw the landfall of Hurricane Fiona, which is currently southwest of Puerto Rico, right after the entire island ran out of power due to the storm's battering, which came nearly five years to the day after the U.S. territory was devastated by the catastrophic Hurricane Maria.

The National Hurricane Center said that Fiona, a Category 1 storm, made landfall in Puerto Rico around 3:20 p.m. EDT, bringing 85 mph maximum sustained winds. Forecasters predict the system will cause historic rainfall upwards of 30 inches, severe floods, and hazardous mudslides.

Governor Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico remarked that the losses that we are experiencing are devastating.


Police claim that the National Guard erected a bridge in the central mountain village of Utuado when Hurricane Maria struck on September 20, 2017, but the storm washed it away.

As floodwaters swelled and flooded automobiles, first floors, and an airport runway on the southern part of the island, hundreds of people were evacuated or saved.

The power transmission and distribution firm, LUMA Energy, claimed that solid winds damaged transmission cables, causing a blackout on the island. According to LUMA, it might take many days to restore power fully.

The region, which 3.2 million people populate, the overwhelming majority of whom are Americans, was placed under emergency declaration by President Joe Biden.

According to the hurricane center's 5 p.m. EDT advisory, the eye of Fiona was moving northwest toward the eastern portion of the Dominican Republic. It was predicted to roar close to the country's northern coast on Monday before turning toward the east of the Turks and Caicos Islands on Tuesday.

The center predicted "torrential rain and mudslides across Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic."

According to Accuweather, Fiona may head in Bermuda's direction after traveling through the Caribbean and the Bahamas. On Sunday, there were hurricane warnings for Puerto Rico and some of the Dominican Republic.

The hurricane is expected to strengthen over the following two days, with wind gusts possibly topping 115 mph.

Related FAQs
Is the hurricane expected to strengthen?
The hurricane is expected to strengthen over the following two days, with wind gusts possibly topping 115 mph.

Where is Fiona expected to head?
Fiona may head in Bermuda's direction after traveling through the Caribbean and the Bahamas.