HURRICANE FIONA

Officials in Puerto Rico say preliminary evaluations show Hurricane Fiona damaged 50% of transmission lines and distribution feeders as hundreds of thousands of people remain without power or water service almost two weeks after the storm hit

More than a week after Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico and knocked out power lines​, hundreds of thousands on the island were still experiencing blackouts.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a fresh round of mediation talks aimed at restructuring more than $8 billion in debt held by Puerto Rico’s power company as it struggles to recover from Hurricane Fiona. The board warned earlier that any expenses linked to debt repayment would be passed along to the power company’s 1.47 million clients. Government officials have vowed to try and restore power to 91% of clients by Friday as they push to restructure the power company’s debt. In response, a bondholder group that holds or insures 65% of the power company’s debt sought to have the bankruptcy case dismissed and a receiver appointed. Puerto Rico’s Highways and Transportation Authority still holds $5.8 billion in debt.

A federal judge has ordered a fresh round of mediation talks aimed at restructuring more than $8 billion in debt held by Puerto Rico’s power company as it struggles to recover from Hurricane Fiona

Puerto Rico's governor has requested the U.S. government waive a federal law and allow more fuel shipments to the island over concerns of a dwindling supply of diesel in the wake of Hurricane Fiona.

“You’re seeing the most dramatic display of inequality,” a Puerto Rican teacher and independence activist said, after Hurricane Fiona. “It hurts.”

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor on Tuesday requested that the U.S. government waive a federal law to allow for more fuel shipments to the island amid concerns over a dwindling supply of diesel in the wake of Hurricane Fiona. “Diesel supplies continue to decrease at a higher rate than previously anticipated, and shortages have been reported around the island,” he wrote. Pierluisi’s letter comes as a British Petroleum ship with 300,000 barrels of diesel floats off Puerto Rico’s southern coast since Sunday, awaiting entry. “Every minute counts in an emergency,” said Puerto Rico Rep. Eddie Charbonier. Local and federal official have long called for a permanent repeal of the Jones Act, saying it has driven up prices and crippled Puerto Rico’s economy.

Puerto Rico’s governor requested that the U.S. government waive a federal law to allow for more fuel shipments to the island amid concerns over a dwindling supply of diesel in the wake of Hurricane Fiona

Puerto Rico’s governor requested that the U.S. government waive a federal law to allow for more fuel shipments to the island amid concerns over a dwindling supply of diesel in the wake of Hurricane Fiona.

To combat the worst impacts of sea-level rise, a new industry of floating infrastructure is emerging.

An ocean drone recorded exclusive footage of 50-foot high waves on video, detailing the inside of a hurricane. The footage was captured thanks to a...

Fiona was blamed for at least five deaths in the Caribbean, and one death in Canada.

Fiona was blamed for at least five deaths in the Caribbean, and one death in Canada.

By Ryan P. MulliganAtlantic Canada has been left reeling from the impacts of one of the largest and most dangerous ocean storms to ever hit the region. This makes Hurricane Fiona a pivotal event in the Canadian coastal ocean, as it raises the question of when this will happen again. How did Fiona get into Canadian water with such size and intensity? Ocean warming may be linked to the increasing intensity of storms making landfall and to the development of strong hurricanes. So climate change leads to warmer ocean water at higher latitudes.

As of Sunday, more than 252,000 Nova Scotia Power customers and over 82,000 Maritime Electric customers in the province of Prince Edward Island — about 95% of the total — remained in the dark. More than 415,000 Nova Scotia Power customers — about 80% in the province of almost 1 million people — had been affected by outages Saturday. As of Sunday, about 45% of Puerto Rico’s 1.47 million power customers remained in the dark, and 20% of 1.3 million water customers had no service as workers struggled to reach submerged power substations and fix downed lines. Officials across Eastern Canada also were assessing the scope of damage caused by the storm, which had moved inland over southeastern Quebec. The Canadian Hurricane Centre tweeted that Fiona had the lowest pressure — a key sign of storm strength — ever recorded for a storm making landfall in Canada.

She stopped at a white-and-seafoam green house and asked the owner to detail her losses in the storm that had flooded much of the town of Toa Baja. Puerto Rico’s government has said it expects to have a preliminary estimate of the damage Fiona caused in roughly two weeks. As of Sunday, about half of Puerto Rico’s 1.47 million power customers remained in the dark, and 20% of 1.3 million water customers had no service as workers struggled to reach submerged power substations and fix downed lines. Toa Baja officials estimated it could take a month to complete their door-to-door survey aimed at determining damage so that people can get financial aid. More than two dozen cars lined up in Toa Baja, where Aida Villanueva was handing out food to fellow members of the community — grapes, croissants, chicken, rice, vegetables and the like.

As of Sunday, more than 252,000 Nova Scotia Power customers and over 82,000 Maritime Electric customers in the province of Prince Edward Island — about 95% of the total — remained in the dark. More than 415,000 Nova Scotia Power customers — about 80% in the province of almost 1 million people — had been affected by outages Saturday. As of Sunday, about 45% of Puerto Rico’s 1.47 million power customers remained in the dark, and 20% of 1.3 million water customers had no service as workers struggled to reach submerged power substations and fix downed lines. Officials across Eastern Canada also were assessing the scope of damage caused by the storm, which had moved inland over southeastern Quebec. Lost lots of shingles, heavy water damage in ceilings, walls, our deck is destroyed.

She stopped at a white-and-seafoam green house and asked the owner to detail her losses in the storm that had flooded much of the town of Toa Baja. Puerto Rico’s government has said it expects to have a preliminary estimate of the damage Fiona caused in roughly two weeks. Toa Baja officials estimated it could take a month to complete their door-to-door survey aimed at determining damage so that people can get financial aid. Many have been forced to throw out food because of the power outages — and some people pitched in to help neighbors. Seventy-four-year-old Ana Butter arrived before dawn for a chance at food, complaining about a lack of official aid.

Officials are fanning out across Puerto Rico to gauge the damage inflicted by Hurricane Fiona

Officials are fanning out across Puerto Rico to gauge the damage inflicted by Hurricane Fiona.

Defense Minister Anita Anand said Canadian troops would help remove fallen trees throughout Eastern Canada, restore transportation links and do whatever else is required for as long as it takes. Fiona was blamed for at least five deaths in the Caribbean, but there was no confirmation of any fatalities or serious injuries in Canada. More than 415,000 Nova Scotia Power customers — about 80% in the province of almost 1 million people — had been affected by outages Saturday. The disaster caused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to cancel his trip to Japan for the funeral for assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. PEI (Prince Edward Island) has experienced storm damage like they’ve never seen.

Hundreds of thousands of people in Atlantic Canada remain without power and officials are trying to assess the scope of devastation from former Hurricane Fiona.

Bananas, papaya and coffee were also affected, according to Puerto Rico's agriculture secretary. The plantain is one of the island's top commodities — and a key ingredient in many traditional dishes.

Fiona transformed from a hurricane into a post-tropical storm, but meteorologists cautioned that it still could have hurricane-strength winds.

PEI (Prince Edward Island) has experienced storm damage like they’ve never seen. More than 415,000 Nova Scotia Power customers — about 80% of the province of almost 1 million — were affected by outages Saturday morning. The Canadian Hurricane Centre tweeted early Saturday that Fiona had the lowest pressure ever recorded for a storm making landfall in Canada. Peter Gregg, President and CEO of Nova Scotia Power, said unprecedented peak winds caused severe damage. Federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair said there was very extensive damage at the airport in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Hurricane Fiona become a post-tropical cyclone as it impacted Atlantic Canada. This comes as Tropical Storm Ian is expected to bring flooding to Jamaica and Cuba.

Days after the storm, residents in coastal Salinas, Puerto Rico, aren't waiting for help from the authorities. They're using bulldozers and backhoes to clear debris and rubble left in Fiona's wake.

Fiona transformed from a hurricane into a post-tropical storm, but meteorologists cautioned that it still could have hurricane-strength winds.

The Canadian Hurricane Center warned Friday of a "severe event" for Atlantic Canada and eastern Quebec.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Half of Puerto Rico is without power more than five days after Hurricane Fiona struck — including an entire town where not a single work crew has arrived. “It’s not normal,” said Marcel Castro-Sitiriche, an electrical engineering professor at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez. González said she is fed up with Puerto Rico’s power grid. Neither Luma nor Puerto Rico’s power generating utility have said when electricity will be restored to the most affected areas. Castro-Sitiriche, the electrical engineering professor, said Puerto Rico’s government, Luma and the Electric Power Authority are all to blame.

Half of Puerto Rico is without power more than five days after Hurricane Fiona struck the U.S. territory — including an entire town where not a single work crew has arrived

Half of Puerto Rico is without power more than five days after Hurricane Fiona struck the U.S. territory — including an entire town where not a single work crew has arrived.

Fiona, which started the day as Category 4 storm but weakened to Category 2 strength late Friday, was forecast to make landfall in Nova Scotia early Saturday. The Canadian Hurricane Centre issued a hurricane watch over extensive coastal expanses of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. It was centered about 140 miles (220 kilometers) southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, heading north at 46 mph (74 kph). Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico activated the National Guard to help distribute diesel fuel to hospitals and supermarkets. Associated Press journalist Maricarmen Rivera Sánchez in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed.

Preparing for a hurricane can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be difficult. Here are a few cool storm survival hacks you can use.

CAGUAS, Puerto Rico — (AP) — A growing number of businesses, including grocery stores and gas stations, are temporarily closing across Puerto Rico as power outages caused by Hurricane Fiona drag on in the U.S. territory, sparking concern about the availability of fuel and basic goods. Some fuel stations were unable to reopen or could not be refilled in the storm’s early aftermath, officials said. Consumer Affairs Secretary Edan Rivera sought to temper concerns, saying that “there is no basis to talk about a fuel shortage in Puerto Rico.” He added that his agency also has found sufficient supplies of basic goods. Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico activated the National Guard to help distribute diesel fuel to hospitals and supermarkets. “And we know they’re real, and they’re significant.”___Associated Press journalist Maricarmen Rivera Sánchez contributed to this report.

The hurricane is expected to hit Canada's maritime provinces with record-setting intensity Friday into Saturday.

As Flagler Beach sees strong rip tides and big swells as a result of Hurricane Fiona in the Atlantic, the city is preparing for possible dune erosion as a tropical depression moving through the Caribbean is on track toward Florida.

Hurricane Fiona was moving away from Bermuda Friday and heading toward Atlantic Canada. The storm was forecast to weaken slightly before approaching Nova Scotia.

Hurricane Fiona sent choppy seas and high rip current risks to the East Coast. The storm is dumping heavy rain and bringing hurricane-force winds to Bermuda.

But the more immediate local concern, says Jonathan Lord, Flagler County’s emergency management director, are the combination of the lingering effects of Hurricane Fiona, the king tide developing next week, and the significant rain expected ahead of Hurricane Hermine. If the highest-period tide coincides with Hermine’s proximity, flooding from storm surges becomes even more of a concern. The National Hurricane Center this morning opted to split the difference, which still has the hurricane striking Florida by mid-week. “It definitely means Flagler County is at risk of seeing tropical storm impacts or potentially even hurricane storm impacts in the middle of next week. In 2016, another hurricane named Hermine struck Florida, and was the first hurricane to do so in 11 years.

"It's going to be a storm that everyone remembers when it is all said and done," said a Canadian Hurricane Centre meteorologist.

More than 60% of power customers remained without energy on Thursday, and a third of customers were without water.

Experts say it will still take some time before the public knows the full impact of Hurricane Fiona on Puerto Rico. But early figures indicate a tough road ahead as residents attempt to recover.

A forecaster says the storm could cause "all-time low" pressure across northeast Canada once it gets there. One official predicts "large, real and immediate" impacts.

A forecaster says the storm could cause "all-time low" pressure across northeast Canada once it gets there. One official predicts "large, real and immediate" impacts.

A JetBlue plane from Punta Cana to Newark went over the storm in a flight planned with guidance from meteorologists, The Washington Post reported.

Hurricane Fiona's unrelenting rains led to swollen rivers and washed out roads and bridges in many areas of Puerto Rico. It's isolated many mountain communities and slowed the recovery.

A growing number of businesses including grocery stores and gas stations are temporarily closing across Puerto Rico as power outages caused by Hurricane Fiona drag on in the U.S. territory, sparking concern about the availability of fuel and basic goods.

Hurricane Fiona has transformed into a post-tropical cyclone, but meteorologist warn it could still bring hurricane-strength wind, heavy rain and big waves to the Atlantic Canada region.

ATLANTIC OCEAN — Video was released Thursday of a sailing drone battling 50-foot waves and winds up to 100 mph inside the first Category 4 storm of 2022. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Saildrone, a company specializing in ocean drones, released new footage from inside Hurricane Fiona. Footage captured by SD 1078 in the Atlantic Ocean during Hurricane Fiona Footage captured by SD 1078 in the Atlantic Ocean during Hurricane Fiona. Hurricane Fiona intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane just before hitting Puerto Rico, causing significant damage and loss of life,” said Richard Jenkins, Saildrone founder and CEO. #hurricanefiona #saildrone #noaahttps://t.co/8BSCR13tSY — Saildrone, Inc. (@saildrone) September 22, 2022According to the company, three other Saildrones have engaged with Fiona at various stages of the storm’s development.

VOLUSAI COUNTY, Fla. — Rough surf and strong rip currents from Hurricane Fiona are expected. Volusia County Beach Safety is expecting up to 9-foot surf through Friday, and lifeguards want swimmers to be aware. READ: Hurricane Fiona to send big waves, strong rip current threat to Florida east coastBeach officials flew the red flag on Thursday, and that should continue through the weekend to warn swimmers of the rough and potentially dangerous surf. See the full story in the video above. READ: Church, school honors victims of Hurricane Maria, Fiona with ceremonyTropics: Hurricane Fiona to send rough surf to Florida; Caribbean tropical wave likely to develop (Brian Shields, WFTV.com/WFTV)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

The storm’s winds are at 130 mph.

ORLANDO, Fla. — As Florida’s Hispanic population surges, it’s a key group that can sway elections. But it’s a complex group for politicians to reach because there’s no one set political leaning for the entire population. Mellie Santiago is one of about 300,000 people to seek refuge in central Florida following Hurricane Maria five years ago. Read: Church, school honors victims of Hurricane Maria, Fiona with ceremonyIt’s something she’s still trying to do to this day. Read: ‘It’s like a loop happening again’: Hurricane Fiona brings back memories of Maria in Puerto RicoBetween 2018 and 2020, the number of registered Hispanic voters jumped by 18,000 in Orange County alone.

But it has already left behind devastation in Puerto Rico, where much of the island is still without power or access to clean water. Flores’s colleague, Gustavo Pagan, grew up in Puerto Rico and also deployed his volunteer services after Maria hit. “With the remembrance of Hurricane Maria, we got Fiona. For Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, Flores and Pagan said the best way people can help is by donating directly to Project HOPE's Fiona crisis response. “We are identifying the needs that we have,” Flores said, “so we can also provide, with your support, to the rest of the population in Puerto Rico.”

A NOAA Saildrone took video from inside the center of Hurricane Fiona this week, giving us a view of the storm at ocean level.

Category 4 Hurricane Fiona is moving away from Florida, but it's bringing highly anticipated swells for surfers and strong rip currents.

SAN SALVADOR, Puerto Rico — (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday the full force of the federal government is ready to help Puerto Rico recover from the devastation of Hurricane Fiona even as Bermuda and Canada's Atlantic provinces were preparing for a major blast from the Category 4 storm. Biden said his message to the people of Puerto Rico who are still hurting from Hurricane Maria five years ago is, “We’re with you. Like hundreds of thousands in Puerto Rico, Veguilla has no water or electricity service, but said there is a natural water source nearby. Fiona so far has been blamed for at least five deaths — two in Puerto Rico, two in the Dominican Republic and one in the French overseas department of Guadeloupe. ___Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Seth Borenstein in New York, Rob Gillies in Toronto and Maricarmen Rivera Sánchez in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed.

President Joe Biden announced the federal government would fully cover the costs related to the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico for the next month.

SAN SALVADOR, Puerto Rico — (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday the full force of the federal government is ready to help Puerto Rico recover from the devastation of Hurricane Fiona even as Bermuda and Canada's Atlantic provinces were preparing for a major blast from the Category 4 storm. He said his message to the people of Puerto Rico who are still hurting from Hurricane Maria five years ago is, “We’re with you. Like hundreds of thousands in Puerto Rico, Veguilla has no water or electricity service, but said there is a natural water source nearby. Fiona so far has been blamed for at least five deaths — two in Puerto Rico, two in the Dominican Republic and one in the French overseas department of Guadeloupe. ___Associated Press writers Zeke Miller in New York, Rob Gillies in Toronto and Maricarmen Rivera Sánchez in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed.

Thousands of Puerto Ricans continue to struggle after Hurricane Fiona hit the island earlier this week.

Though far away from Florida, Hurricane Fiona is creating rip current risk along the coast.

Drier air -- finally!

President Joe Biden says the full force of the federal government is ready to help Puerto Rico recover from the devastation of Hurricane Fiona.

Osceola County residents are lending a helping hand for the victims of Hurricane Fiona.

While thousands remain without power in Puerto Rico, residents in Central Florida are getting results for those in need after Hurricane Fiona.

More than a half million people in Puerto Rico remain without water service three days after after Hurricane Fiona slammed the U.S. territory.

The impact of hurricane Fiona on Puerto Rico left most of the island without power and thousands of damaged homes, buildings and overflowed rivers.

A relief drive at a Kissimmee church will collect items to send to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona left the island without power.

Long-range computer models suggest a tropical wave could end up in the Gulf.

Hurricane Fiona is blasting the Turks and Caicos Islands as a Category 3 storm after devastating Puerto Rico, where most people remain without electricity or running water.

Less than 24 hours after Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico, local faith leaders and organizations are gathering together resources to help.

Keep up with the latest on the tropics.

More rain is in the Central Florida forecast.

Hurricane Fiona is dumping more rain on Puerto Rico.

Local organizations and faith leaders are on standby here in Central Florida to help the people of Puerto Rico impacted by Hurricane Fiona.

Hurricane Fiona has struck Puerto Rico’s southwest coast as it unleashed landslides, knocked the power grid out and ripped up asphalt from roads and flung the pieces around.

Time to track the Tropics!