Hurricane Fiona slammed into Nova Scotia, Canada after devastating Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic this week. Earlier, it was warned that Nova Scotia was expected to take an immediate hit with warnings of severe flooding and power outages. Due to the storm’s size, hazardous weather was also forecast for parts of Newfoundland, Labrador, Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The Canadian Hurricane Center has warned that this is a “historic storm”. An agency meteorologist told CNN that Hurricane Fiona could rival 2012’s Superstorm Sandy, which devastated the US East Coast. Hurricane Fiona left hundreds of thousands of people without running water or electricity in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. According to reports, it left up to eight dead in Puerto Rico. The climate crisis is leading to higher global ocean and air temperatures that supercharge hurricanes with stronger winds and rain.
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Fiona will continue northeast, authorities say
The Canadian Hurricane Center issued a new update on Fiona’s progress, with the storm expected to continue moving northeast and “cause damaging winds, waves and storm surge.” His graphic showing the storm’s track shows winds of 130 km/h in the last 40 minutes. Andy Gregory24 September 2022 13:40 1664020860
ICYMI: One of Canada’s worst hurricanes in recent decades was Hurricane Juan, a Category 2 storm that hit Nova Scotia in 2003 and killed eight people. Experts have warned that Fiona could rival Juan’s damage and urged Atlantic Canadians to be vigilant. Graeme Massie24 September 2022 13:01 1664019384
Hundreds of thousands were hit by power outages
Until 1 am local time (5 a.m. BST), more than 250,000 Nova Scotia Power customers – about half of customers in the province – were affected by power outages. That number had risen by another 28,000 an hour later. Andy Gregory24 September 2022 12:36 1664017500
ICYMI: Hurricanes are getting stronger. Blame the climate crisis
Hurricanes are getting stronger. Blame the climate crisis
Warmer ocean waters and rising sea levels are making storms stronger and more expensive — and the damage is mounting Graeme Massie24 September 2022 12:05 1664015449
Nova Scotians are sharing their Hurricane Fiona experiences on social media
Many Nova Scotians are posting videos, messages and updates about Hurricane Fiona on social media. “Hurricane Update. I’m on the floor next to my bed. I feel safer here,” author Sondra Baker tweeted. “The wind is too strong to sleep as it shakes the roof and walls like crazy. “I’ll try to sleep on the floor. I feel so compassion for my family in Nova Scotia right now. As we are in NB #HurricaneFiona.” Another person added: “Extreme weather is scary so when Hurricane Fiona comes over I imagine my roof flying off and having to hold onto something to keep from being thrown out of the house. Someone cut me some slack please.” Peony Hirwani24 September 2022 11:30 1664013780
ICYMI: On Sable Island, a wilderness area off the coast of Nova Scotia that is home to animals like wild horses and seals, parks staff are preparing to chase the storm, Reuters reports. Wild horses on Sable Island in Nova Scotia (via REUTERS) Gray seals on Sable Island (via REUTERS) Graeme Massie24 September 2022 11:03 1664011849
Nova Scotia’s Premier shares safety tips as Hurricane Fiona approaches
Nova Scotia’s 30th premier has shared safety tips for provincial residents. Peony Hirwani24 September 2022 10:30 1664010240
ICYMI: Hurricane Fiona is not set to make a direct hit on the continental United States, but the corner of Maine closest to Canada will see winds of up to 61 mph (98 kph) and possible power outages, warns the National Weather Service. Graeme Massie24 September 2022 10:04 1664008249
Nova Scotia government releases list of comfort centers and refuges
The Nova Scotia Government Office of Emergency Management has released the list of comfort centers and shelters in various municipalities. You can find the information here. Peony Hirwani24 September 2022 09:30 1664006449
The government is issuing rainfall warnings for Eastern Canada
The Government of Canada says rainfall will continue today, with up to 120 millimeters already reported at weather stations in eastern Nova Scotia. The highest rainfall amounts are possible for eastern Nova Scotia, southwestern Newfoundland and the Gulf of St. Lawrence region. Forecast guidance suggests widespread amounts of 100 to 200mm, but closer to Hurricane Fiona’s path, more than 200mm is likely. Peony Hirwani24 September 2022 09:00
