Hurricane Fiona in Dominican Republic: Its Leaves devastation in its wake

After the island state of Puerto Rico, hurricane “Fiona” also reached the Dominican Republic and caused severe damage there. Hurricane Fiona in Dominican Republic

At least one person has died as a result of Hurricane Fiona in the Dominican Republic. About 12,500 people were also forced to leave their homes, said the director of the Center for Rescue Services, General Juan Méndez García.

The storm caused flooded streets and power outages. “Fiona” had previously caused serious damage in the US territory of Puerto Rico. According to the US Hurricane Center NHC, the hurricane reached wind speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour in the Dominican Republic.

Hurricane Fiona in Dominican Republic: Red alert

The authorities imposed a red alert for 16 of the Caribbean state’s 32 provinces. In the resort of Punta Cana, several roads were blocked by fallen trees or power poles and the power went out, an AFP journalist on site reported. The hurricane is currently moving toward the Turks and Caicos Islands, north of the Dominican Republic.

“Fiona” made landfall in Puerto Rico on Sunday afternoon with wind speeds of up to 140 km/h. The power grid collapsed on the Caribbean island with more than three million inhabitants, and heavy rain caused flooding and landslides.

800,000 people without drinking water supply

According to Governor Pedro Pierluisi, electricity was restored to around 100,000 people in Puerto Rico on Monday. In “many regions” of the US territory that have never experienced flooding, more rainwater has collected than ever before. “Fiona” raged there more violently than the devastating hurricane “Maria” in 2017, explained Pierluisi.

According to the authorities, a total of 800,000 people were cut off from the drinking water supply this time due to power cuts and flooding. A man suffered fatal burns trying to fill his generator because of the power outage.

State of emergency in Puerto Rico

Downed power poles and trees blocked roads, and a bridge collapsed in the city of Utuado. US President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for Puerto Rico. He also spoke to Governor Pierluisi and assured him that the number of rescue workers dispatched from Washington would be “consistently increased” from the current 300.

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