Causes.com
| 9.19.22

Hurricane Fiona: Updates and How You Can Help

Help those impacted by Hurricane Fiona

Updated September 22, 2022

What’s the story?

  • Hurricane Fiona is a Category 1 storm that has created dangerous flooding and landslides in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, leading to widespread destruction. 
  • The National Weather Service said the rain is heavy enough to cause “life-threatening and catastrophic flooding.”
  • Fiona is expected to move away from the U.S. coast but could threaten Bermuda, Turks and Caicos, and parts of Canada later this week. Officials believe the storm will strengthen as it moves up the Atlantic Ocean. 

Puerto Rico 

  • Puerto Rico’s Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said that Fiona is devastating urban areas, killing at least one person. The National Guard has conducted 30 rescue operations so far, rescuing more than 1,000 stranded residents, Gov. Pierluisi said during a news conference.
  • Intense rainfall is flooding rivers, while winds as high as 80 mph are destroying homes, roads, and bridges. Gov. Pierluisi estimated the damages will cost billions of dollars. 
  • Puerto Rico is facing a power outage that could last for days, officials say. More than 1.4 million people were without power as of Monday morning. Luma Energy, the island’s power company, said power has been restored to about 100,000 people so far. The water service system has been severely damaged as well, impacting around 750,000 people.
  • President Biden approved an emergency declaration for Puerto Rico on Sunday, authorizing federal agencies to coordinate disaster relief efforts.
  • Fiona made landfall two days before the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm that caused destruction across Puerto Rico, left homes without power for months, and killed more than 3,000 people.

What’s to come?

  • Heavy rainfall is expected to continue throughout the week, creating concern for central and southern Puerto Rico. The National Hurricane Center said the slow-moving storm could drop upward of 30 inches of rain.
  • The hurricane is currently near the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, where it is projected to have its strongest winds, according to the Weather Channel. 
  • Southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos are expected to experience high winds and heavy rainfall on Tuesday. Officials warn that Bermuda could be seriously impacted by the hurricane late Thursday into early Friday. Canada may be impacted this weekend. 
  • The U.S. is expected to experience high surf this week along the east coast, which will cause threatening rip currents. 

Photo credit: The Weather Channel's Projected Path

How you can help

Here are the organizations helping to provide relief efforts in Puerto Rico in Hurricane Fiona's wake:

  • The Hispanic Federation helps rebuild homes and community resources after natural disasters and provides immediate access to water, food, and emergency supplies for families across the island. The group is already on the ground providing these emergency relief services and is urging the public to donate to help the residents in need. Donate to the Hispanic Federation here. 
  • More local organizations such as La Maraña and ViequesLove are combining efforts with the Hispanic Federation. You can donate to La Maraña here and ViequesLove here. 
  • The PRxPR Relief and Rebuild Fund, created after Hurricane Maria, is offering humanitarian aid across the island. The fund is working with local organizations to address basic needs and provide immediate and long-lasting help to the communities. Donate here.
  • The Puerto Rico Community Foundation has a Community Recovery Fund to help relief efforts, and increase access to drinking water, housing, and long-term goals of renewable energy, education, and economic development. You can select which fund your donation goes into — to help with Hurricane Fiona efforts, choose the Puerto Rico Community Recovery Fund. Click here to donate. 


Donate to help those impacted by Hurricane Fiona.


-Jamie Epstein

(Photo credit: Twitter/@dbinkowski)