Hurricane Fiona morphed into a post-tropical cyclone late Friday, but meteorologists warn it could still bring hurricane-like winds, heavy rain and high waves to Atlantic Canada and potentially likely to become one of the most severe storms in the country’s history. .
Fiona, which started the day as a Category 4 hurricane but weakened to Category 2 late Friday, is forecast to make landfall in Nova Scotia early Saturday.
The Canadian Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for large swaths of the coasts of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. The US National Hurricane Center said Fiona would approach the area as a “large and powerful post-tropical storm with hurricane-force winds”.
“This is definitely going to be one of the strongest tropical cyclones, if not to affect our part of the country,” said Ian Hubbard, meteorologist with the Canadian Hurricane Center in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. “. “It’s definitely going to be as serious and bad as anything I’ve seen.”
Fiona was a Category 4 hurricane when it hit Bermuda with heavy rain and winds early Friday as it swept across the island on its route to northeastern Canada. Authorities in Bermuda opened shelters and closed schools and offices in front of Fiona. National Security Secretary Michael Weeks said there had been no reports of major damage.
The American Center said Fiona had maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) late Friday. It is centered about 140 miles (220 km) southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, heading north at 46 mph (74 km/h).
Storm winds extend outwards up to 185 miles (295 km) from the center and tropical storm winds extend outward up to 345 miles (555 km).
Hubbard said the storm was weakening as it moved over cooler waters and he felt it was highly unlikely it would reach land with hurricane strength. Hurricanes in Canada are somewhat rare, in part because once hurricanes reach colder waters, they lose their primary source of energy. and become extratropical. But those tornadoes can still have hurricane-force winds, albeit with cold instead of a warm core and invisible to the naked eye. Their shape can also be different. They lose their symmetry and can look more like commas.
Bob Robichaud, warning-preparation meteorologist with the Canadian Hurricane Center, said the center of the storm is expected to reach Nova Scotia on Saturday morning, but its winds and rain will arrive late Friday.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: “Things are going to get worse. “Of course, we hope we don’t need much more, but we feel we can. And we’ll be there for that. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to stay safe. and follow the instructions of the local authorities and persist there for the next 24 hours.”
Officials in Prince Edward Island have issued an emergency warning for severe flooding along the northern coast of the province. “Immediate efforts should be made to protect belongings. Avoid the extremely dangerous shores and waves. Residents in those areas should be prepared to move out if necessary,” the notice read.
Authorities in Nova Scotia have sent an emergency alert to phones warning of Fiona’s arrival and urging people to speak inside, avoid coming ashore, charge devices and have adequate supplies for at least a few days. 72 hours at most. Officials warned of prolonged power outages, wind damage to trees and structures, coastal flooding and possible road washing.
A hurricane warning was in effect for Nova Scotia from Hubbards to Brule; Prince Edward Island; Island-de-la-Madeleine; and Newfoundland from Parson’s Pond to Francois.
Fiona has so far been blamed for at least five deaths – two in Puerto Rico, two in the Dominican Republic and one on the French island of Guadeloupe.
People across Atlantic Canada stocked up on last-minute essentials and weathered the storm the Friday before arrival.
At Samsons Enterprises boatyard in the small Acadian community of Petit-de-Grat on Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton island, Jordan David is helping his friend Kyle Boudreau secure Boudreau’s “Bad Influence” lobster boat in the hope that it won’t be lifted and broken by the wind.
“All we can do is hope for the best and prepare as best we can. Something is about to happen, and how bad it is is yet to be determined,” David said. Wear your outdoor waterproof clothing.
Kyle Boudreau said he was worried. “This is our livelihood. Our boats are smashed, our traps are smashed … those are the things you don’t have to start your season with next year,” he said.
Aidan Sampson said he has been working 11 hours a day in his father-in-law’s boatyard for the past week lifting fishing boats out of the water.
Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center said the newly formed Tropical Cyclone Ian in the Caribbean is expected to continue to strengthen and hit Cuba early Tuesday as a hurricane and then make landfall. south Florida early Wednesday.
It was centered about 385 miles (625 km) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica as of late Friday. It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and was moving west-northwest at 12 mph (19 km/h). A hurricane watch has been issued to the Cayman Islands.
Before arriving in Bermuda, Fiona caused severe flooding and destruction in Puerto Rico, prompting US President Joe Biden on Thursday to announce that the full force of the federal government is ready to help the American territory recover.
Governor Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico activated the National Guard to help distribute diesel fuel to hospitals and supermarkets. The force is also providing generators used to operate clean water plants and telecommunications towers. Hundreds of people are still isolated by blocked roads.
