Eye on the Tropics

Eye on the Tropics: Hurricane Fiona makes landfall along SW coast of Puerto Rico

ORLANDO, Fla. — Tropical Storm Fiona has strengthened and is now a Category 1 hurricane.

5 p.m. Update:

The center of Hurricane Fiona has already crossed Puerto Rico and is back over water.

It will get closer to the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic overnight passing over or near the coast overnight and into Monday morning.

Heavy rains and catastrophic flooding will continue for Puerto Rico, even as the hurricane moves away the outer rain bands will continue to drop rain and some spots may see up to 30 inches of rainfall.

Turks and Caicos have been issued a tropical storm warning.

4 p.m. Update:

Hurricane Fiona made landfall in southwestern Puerto Rico near Punta Tocon at 3:20 p.m. EDT.

Fiona is producing max sustained winds of 85 mph.

11 a.m. Update:

Hurricane Fiona has sustained winds of 80 mph, moving WNW at 8 mph. Major impacts are already being felt in Puerto Rico, and that will continue for the rest of today.

Hurricane warnings remain in place for Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic as Fiona will impact the islands throughout the remainder of Sunday.

Torrential rains are already falling in Puerto Rico. Life threatening rains, flooding and mudslides will be possible as 10-20 inches of rain are expected.

Previous Story:

Tropical storm Fiona is expected to become a hurricane Sunday, the National Weather Center said.

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Tropical Storm Fiona continues to strengthen in the Caribbean Sunday morning and is expected to become a hurricane later today.

TS Fiona is already bringing tropical storm conditions to the island of Puerto Rico.

Hurricane conditions can be expected later today.

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