NEW YORK – The National Hurricane Center has upgraded Tropical Depression Seven to Tropical Storm Fiona in the Atlantic.
As of the 8:00 am NHC update, Fiona was approximately 545 miles east of the Leeward Islands and moving in sustained maximum winds of 50 mph.
Tropical storm winds extend outward to 140 miles east of downtown. A small change in strength is expected in the coming days.
On the current runway, downtown Fiona is expected to move through the Leeward Islands on Friday night and Friday night, and move close to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend. The Dominican Republic and Haiti could also be affected.
Heavy rains and flash floods will be the biggest storm threat in these regions. At this time, tropical storm clocks are in effect for Saba and St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, and Anguilla, although more watches and warnings are expected for other areas as of Thursday.
Fiona is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches with higher isolated amounts in the Northern Leeward Islands, the British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and eastern Hispaniola.
These rains can produce urban and flash floods, along with isolated mudslides in higher areas, the NHC says.
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