Puerto Rico is without power this morning after Hurricane Fiona battered the island Sunday (Sept. 18) with winds of 90 mph and heavy rains.
The storm reached Category 1 hurricane strength as it neared Puerto Rico. Fiona’s outer bands continue to drop rain on the island, causing “life-threatening and catastrophic flooding along with mudslides and landslides,” according to Alabama meteorologist James Spann. The National Weather Service in San Juan said rain accumulations could total 16” across the island, with some areas receiving as much as 25”.
The NWS this morning (Sept. 19) urged all residents to “move to higher ground immediately.”
Eastern portions of the Dominican Republic also are likely to deal with flash flooding, and the NWS said the U.S. Virgin Islands could receive up to 6” of rainfall with locally higher amounts.
A Send Relief tweet said Puerto Rico Baptists will assess needs when conditions allow.
“Continue joining us in prayer for the people of Puerto Rico, our leaders, local churches and volunteers as they wait out the storm and prepare for the coming response,” the tweet said.
The Puerto Rico Ministry Center was established by Send Relief after the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017 to work with local churches in providing assistance to the region.
