This post is also available in: Spanish

In less than 24, Hurricane Fiona intensified into a Category 1 hurricane before it reached Puerto Rico today. Fiona is now moving just west of Puerto Rico causing flooding and power outages and heading our way to the eastern Dominican Republic. Many residents in Casa de Campo have already prepared for Hurricane Fiona and stock up on essentials before it’s too late. Click here to read our Hurricane Tips and click here for a Basic Disaster Supplies Kit. 

As per nhc.noaa.gov,

1. Hurricane conditions are expected to begin in portions of the warning area in the Dominican Republic tonight and Monday. Tropical storm conditions will reach the Dominican Republic this evening.

2. Heavy rains from Fiona will continue across Puerto Rico through tonight and occur over the Dominican Republic later today into Monday. These rainfall amounts will produce catastrophic life-threatening flash floods and urban flooding across Puerto Rico and portions of the eastern Dominican Republic, along with mudslides and landslides in areas of higher terrain.

3. Fiona is forecast to continue to strengthen after moving away from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas by late Monday or early Tuesday.

To clarify, a hurricane watch/warning means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 24 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical storm winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. A tropical storm watch means that the tropical storm conditions are possible within the area, generally within 48h.

The Emergency Operations Center (COE in Spanish) issued its alert levels to coordinate an effective response to the passing of Hurricane Fiona. They have declared a red alert for provinces: San Cristóbal, Gran Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Macorís, La Romana, La Altagracia, María Trinidad Sánchez, Duarte, en especial el Bajo Yuna, Espaillat, Puerto Plata, Samaná, Hato Mayor, El Seibo, and Monte Plata. Under the yellow alert, which means to be prepared, for provinces: Sánchez Ramírez, Azua, San José de Ocoa, Monseñor Nouel, Hermanas Mirabal, Peravia, Barahona, La Vega, and Santiago, and green which means to be attentive, are: San Juan, Monte Cristi, Elías Piña, Independencia, Santiago Rodríguez, Valverde, Dajabón, Bahoruco, and Pedernales.

We will continue to hope, that we are once again spared, but this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be prepared! While it is still not certain how closely the hurricane will affect the Dominican Republic, please stay safe and ready.

*Featured image from https://weather.com/ Fiona Radar map

READ COSTASUR’S CAUTIONARY MEASURES:

Before the hurricane:

  • Pay attention to the official bulletins transmitted by radio, television and written press.
  • Prepare a first aid kit with non-perishable food, radio, flashlight, personal documents and medicines.
  • Cut branches from trees that could fall off and cause damage.
  • Secure doors and windows with additional iron supports that withstand strong winds.
  • Secure glass windows with tape, special adhesive paper or plywood to prevent someone from being injured.
  • Analyze the probabilities of having to evacuate the home.
  • Secure all objects that are not fixed to the floor, such as furniture, appliances, decorative objects, grills, etc.

During the hurricane:

  • Keep calm and reassure your family members. An anxious person can make many mistakes.
  • Keep gas, light and water disconnected until there is no leakage or danger of a short circuit.
  • Avoid being near doors and windows, where there are glass or open spaces.
  • Have a potable water supply, first aid kit, flashlight and radio on hand to receive information and instructions from official sources.
  • Do not light candles; use battery flashlights.
  • If the wind opens a door or window, do not advance towards it frontally.
  • Do not go out until authorities inform that the hazard has ended.

After the hurricane:

  • Check the house carefully and make sure there is no danger.
  • Make sure electrical appliances are dry before connecting them.
  • Use the phone only to report emergencies to 911.
  • Remove stagnant water to prevent mosquito pests.
  • Houses located in front of the sea must keep the security measures for 48 hours.

Important: Prevention begins with us, our family and the community.

Keep informed!

It’s important to keep up to date with news concerning the weather forecast! Whilst we at Casa de Campo Living will do our best to keep you informed, we recommend the following for keeping extra-informed:

• www.nhc.noaa.gov – The National Hurricane Centre
• www.weather.com – The Weather Channel
• ONAMET.gov.do – the Dominican Republic’s official weather warning people (this one is in Spanish)
• Twitter: We recommend following NHC_Atlantic – for regular tweets on hurricanes, tropical storms etc
• Facebook: Follow – http://www.facebook.com/US.NOAA.NationalHurricaneCenter.gov