Bermuda braces for impacts from Hurricane Fiona
Hurricane Fiona is currently churning toward Bermuda as a Category 4 with the potential to strengthen.
Bermuda residents preparing for Hurricane Fiona
Residents and locals are preparing for Hurricane Fiona as a Hurricane Warning has been issued for Bermuda ahead of Hurricane Fiona.
Hurricane Fiona is forecast to come about 100 miles west of Bermuda after leaving behind a trail of devastation in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Hurricane Fiona first crashed into the extreme southwestern coast of Puerto Rico on Sunday afternoon as a Category 1 storm, blasting parts of the island with 70-80 mph winds and rainfall measured in feet.
After making landfall in Puerto Rico, Hurricane Fiona also barreled toward the Dominican Republic and made a second landfall there early Monday morning.
![Puerto Rico flooding]()
Image 1 of 5Video from the U.S. Coast Guard shows the view from a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter based in Puerto Rico as it flew over the island on Monday, to assess damage from Hurricane Fiona and help determine how and where federal and local agencies could help. (U.S. Coast Guard)
![A man is seen clinging to a cement pole to prevent being swept away by raging floodwaters in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Fiona.]()
Image 2 of 5A man is seen clinging to a cement pole to prevent being swept away by raging floodwaters in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Fiona. (Batalló 125 de Policía Militar)
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Image 3 of 5TOPSHOT - A pedestrian looks at a destroyed bridge after the passage of Fiona storm at the Pont de Goyave, on the French island of Guadeloupe, on September 18, 2022. (Photo by Carla Bernhardt / AFP) (Photo by CARLA BERNHARDT/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 4 of 5A flooded road is seen during the passage of hurricane Fiona in Villa Blanca, Puerto Rico, on September 18, 2022. - Fiona touched Puerto Rico at 3:20 p.m. local time (7:20 GMT), according to information from the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC), leaving a general blackout and rivers overflowing. (Photo by Melvin Pereira / AFP) (Photo by MELVIN PEREIRA/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 5 of 5Palm trees blow in the wind in Nagua, Dominican Republic, on September 19, 2022, during the passage of Hurricane Fiona. - Hurricane Fiona made landfall along the coast of the Dominican Republic on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said, after the storm tore through Puerto Rico. (Photo by Erika SANTELICES / AFP) (Photo by ERIKA SANTELICES/afp/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
As its path continued, on Tuesday, Hurricane Fiona blasted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a Category 3 storm.
Many people in Bermuda are now crossing their fingers that they will not experience the full wrath of the strengthening Category 4 storm.
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FOX Weather multimedia journalist Robert Ray spoke to locals and tourists about how they are preparing for Fiona, which is expected to bring 40- to 50-foot swells and impact Bermuda starting on Thursday and into Friday.
The cone of uncertainty for Hurricane Fiona, a powerful Category 4 hurricane as of September 21, 2022.
(FOX Weather)
Many residents and tourists have already left the island, and airlines have shut down their operations to and from the island starting this afternoon. Ray reported that some hotels have shut down their operations for the next few days, waiting for Fiona to pass.
In fact, the Bermuda government is urging people to reconsider their travel options in Bermuda.
Bermuda government urges residents to ready for Hurricane Fiona
Michael Weeks of the Bermuda Minister of National Security tells Bermuda residents to prepare for a major hurricane.
However, others shared a different level of concern.
Ray reported that his flight from the United States to Bermuda was full. He also spoke with a tourist who arrived on the island on Friday and who had no plans to leave.
Some locals shared a similar sentiment and noted their focus on storm preparations.
Bermuda residents brace themselves for Hurricane Fiona
FOX Weather multimedia journalist and storm specialist Robert Ray spoke with Bermuda residents about how they're preparing for Hurricane Fiona. The Category 4 storm is currently churning toward the island nation.
"We're just going to get the outskirt [of Fiona] -- some, like more or less," said one resident. "We're going to get some little lightning and thunder and a little more rain and stuff."
"Get yourself some batteries and water and couple cans of stuff," he added. "If the generator’s running, now you should be okay."
Another Bermuda resident noted the importance of preparation.
Sandbags lay at the doorstep of a building in St. George's, Bermuda.
(FOX Weather)
"We're lucky in that we have water for our home use is under our house in a tank," said Susie Hall. "So as long as you have a bucket and a rope and you can dip your tank to use it for your household needs, you're all set to go."
"Everybody's pretty well-prepared – they've got either gas stoves or they got a gas barbecue so, we're always ready," she added. "But the infrastructure here is admirable, I have to say."
Bermuda prepares for hurricane force winds with Fiona
Bermuda Weather Service Acting Director Michelle Pitcher says Fiona may deliver Category 1 hurricane winds speeds to Bermuda.
Bermuda, being out in the middle of the Atlantic, may seem vulnerable to hurricanes. However, only six have ever made landfall on the island nation since record-keeping began in the 19th century, and the last direct hit from a hurricane occurred in 2003, according to Ray.
Fiona is forecast to continue north or north-northeastward beyond its close brush with Bermuda and threaten the Canadian Maritimes from late Friday into the weekend.