(Halifax) The Canadian Hurricane Center says Fionacurrently a Category 3 hurricane, is expected to hit Atlantic Canada this weekend and could bring heavy rain, damaging winds and flooding.
Posted at 4:11 p.m.
The center said in a statement on Tuesday that Fiona is expected to become a “large and powerful” post-tropical storm and is expected to make landfall on Saturday affecting the Maritimes land area.
Canadian Hurricane Center meteorologist Ian Hubbard said in an interview that he expects Fiona brings significant rainfall and “very strong and possibly damaging winds” to some areas of the region.
Projections from the storm suggest that Fiona will pass near or just east of Cape Breton, Hubbard said. “So in terms of significant impacts, we’re talking about eastern Nova Scotia,” he said, adding that much of the province could be affected.
The warning applies to eastern New Brunswick, from the Chaleur region to Moncton and southeast and covers almost all of Nova Scotia.
The center indicates that Fiona should also affect Prince Edward Island and the Magdalen Islands, Quebec, before reaching Newfoundland.
Mr Hubbard said the storm is likely to increase in size as it transitions from a hurricane to a post-tropical storm, meaning “the area of impact is likely to increase”. As the storm will not reach the region for several days, its path and impact remain uncertain. “At this point, details are few and far between,” the meteorologist said.
Mr. Hubbard suggests that residents pay close attention to the weather forecast as the weekend approaches and prepare for the potential impact of Fiona.
Prince Edward Island Public Safety Minister Darlene Compton said islanders should ensure their emergency plans are up to date and medical kits are stored.
“That means making sure we have enough supply for at least 72 hours,” she said in a press release. It is also important that we watch our loved ones and neighbors who may need an extra helping hand to prepare for what Fiona could bring. »
Ian Hubbard said much of Atlantic Canada will likely experience heavy rain and winds ahead of Saturday’s storm.
Fiona wreaked havoc in Puerto Rico last weekend and hit the Turks and Caicos Islands earlier on Tuesday.