Turks and Caicos shut down as Hurricane Fiona approaches
Residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands are bracing for the effects of Hurricane Fiona, which is expected to become a major hurricane today.
The hospital has suspended all services, the airport has been closed, all businesses were ordered to shut down by 5 pm, and commuters were advised to get off the streets by 7 pm as the residents prepared for the storm, which has caused significant flooding in Puerto Rico, where two people died, the Dominican Republic and Guadeloupe where one death was recorded.
A staggered national shutdown was implemented in the Turks and Caicos, starting with the most easterly islands, Grand Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos, who are expected to experience the brunt of the storm, followed by the westerly islands of Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos as well as outer lying islands and Cays.
It is expected that the islands will feel the storm's effects by midnight.
The National Hurricane Centre said in its 5 pm updates that Fiona is moving toward the northwest near ten mph (17 km/h).
The NHC said this general motion would continue through tonight, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest on Tuesday and to the north on Wednesday. On the forecast track, the centre of Fiona will pass near or to the east of the Turks and Caicos on Tuesday.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph (155 km/h) with higher gusts. Steady strengthening is expected during the next couple of days, and Fiona is forecast to become a major hurricane on Tuesday.
The Bahamas is also expected to be affected.
Residents in the southeast Bahamas, particularly those on Inagua, Mayaguana, Samana Cay, Acklins and crooked island, have been put on alert for possible tropical storm conditions later tonight.
Rainfall of four to eight inches is expected over the Turks and Caicos islands and one to three inches over the southeast Bahamas.
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