The Canadian Hurricane Centre has warned of heavy rain and “hurricane-force winds” to impact Atlantic Canada and eastern Quebec beginning early Saturday.
Hurricane Fiona pounded Bermuda with torrential rainfall early Friday as it moved toward northeastern Canada.
According to the US National National Hurricane Centre, the storm’s core was moving northwest of Bermuda by Friday morning, with maximum sustained winds exceeding 125 mph and greater gusts. According to the report, the storm was lowered from a Category 4 hurricane when it passed over the island.
Fiona was predicted to reach the shores of Nova Scotia’s Maritime region by Friday evening, with “heavy rains” and violent “hurricane-force winds” forecast to impact Atlantic Canada and eastern Quebec beginning early Saturday.
“This storm is shaping up to be a severe event for Atlantic Canada and eastern Quebec,” it said on its website in an update early Friday morning.
“Numerous weather models are consistent in their prediction of a deep, low-pressure system, possessing both tropical and intense winter storm properties, with heavy rainfall and severe winds.”
Hurricanes are uncommon in Canada, with storms often losing their major energy source as they approach cooler seas.
However, similar storms have previously occurred on Canada’s eastern coast, notably Hurricane Juan in 2003, which devastated sections of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and resulted in several deaths, according to Canada’s hurricane agency. According to the report, the storm also caused extensive power outages, significant tree damage, and record coastal water levels.
The hurricane centre predicted strong winds and rain would have “significant repercussions” on eastern Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, western Newfoundland, eastern Quebec, and southeastern Labrador.
“There will also be large waves, especially for the Atlantic coasts of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and eastern portions of the Gulf of St. Lawrence,”
the hurricane centre said.
It also foresaw a high risk of “storm surge,” or an extraordinary increase in water induced by a storm, in sections of Nova Scotia, western Newfoundland, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The hurricane centre also warned of toppled trees and power disruptions, stating that “most locations will experience hurricane force winds.” It also stated that building sites might be “especially exposed” to the storm.
Fiona has caused widespread destruction, including eight deaths in Puerto Rico that are thought to be related to the storm, one verified fatality in the Dominican Republic, and another confirmed death in Guadeloupe.
In Puerto Rico, much of the population is still without power and safe drinking water as recovery works continue after the hurricane wrecked houses, toppled trees, and blocked roadways.
According to the web tracker PowerOutage.us, at least 928,000 consumers in Puerto Rico were without power as of early Friday.
President Joe Biden said in a Thursday briefing with FEMA officials in New York that hundreds of FEMA and other federal personnel were working on the ground to help with response operations in Puerto Rico.
“We’re all in this together,” the president remarked, expressing worry that many households and businesses still lacked electricity and safe drinking water.
Biden also emphasized that Fiona’s damage occurred precisely five years after Hurricane Maria, the biggest natural disaster in the United States in almost a century, struck Puerto Rico.
“To the people of Puerto Rico who are still suffering five years later from Hurricane Maria,” Biden continued, “we are with you.” We’re not going anywhere. We mean it.”
