Tropical Storm Fiona in the Caribbean on Saturday, September 17, 2022. It reportedly claimed a life as it swept across Guadeloupe today, September 17, 2022, and is forecast to become a hurricane as it approaches Puerto Rico on Sunday, September 18, 2022. Photo: NOAA

Acting Governor David D. Archer Jr urged businesses to consider closing their doors early today, September 17, 2022, ahead of the passing of Tropical Storm Fiona. Photo: GIS/File

Guadeloupe was severely impacted by Tropical Storm Fiona today, September 17, 2022. Photo: Times Caribbean

The body of a male was found on the side of a road after floods washed away a home in the capital of Basse-Terre in the French territory of Guadeloupe.

More than 20 other people were reportedly rescued amid heavy wind and rain that left 13,000 customers without power.

Fiona to pass VI tonight

At 5:00 PM the National Hurricane Centre advised that the centre of Tropical Storm Fiona was located near latitude 16.7 North, longitude 64.6 West.

It said Fiona is moving toward the west-northwest near 9 mph (15 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue through tonight. A northwestward motion is forecast to begin on Sunday and continue through Tuesday.

And according to the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), based on the change in the forecast track, the centre of Fiona is estimated to pass about 97 miles south of Road Town, 106 miles south of Virgin Gorda and 126 miles south of Anegada late Saturday early Sunday morning and move across Puerto Rico by Sunday afternoon.

Fiona will then offshore of the Dominican Republic on Monday and near or to the east of the Turks and Caicos Islands on Tuesday.

Flooding the greatest threat to VI- DDM

DDM said the greatest threat to the Virgin Islands (VI) remains flooding rains. The forecast estimated Fiona to produce 4 to 6 inches with a local maximum of 10 inches possible in the VI.

“Due to these heavy rainfalls, flash flooding warning and or advisory may be issued,” DDM stated.

VI may experience 40-70% of wind & gust- DDM

According to DDM, maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast, and Fiona is expected to become a hurricane before reaching the southern coast of Puerto Rico on Sunday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km) from the centre therefore some places may experience periodic wind gust.

“Based on the wind chart on NOAA we can experience between 40-70% of the wind and gust,” DDM stated.

Acting Governor urges early closure of businesses

Meanwhile, Acting Governor David D. Archer Jr urged businesses to consider closing their doors early ahead of the passing of Tropical Storm Fiona.

“I know that serving your customers and clients is important, but I urge businesses to consider closing doors early to allow staff to return home safely, as well as to allow the secure closing of premises,” Mr Archer Jr stated this afternoon.

One Mart subsequently announced its stores would be closing at 7:00 pm.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Acting Governor asked that anyone who is not an essential worker to stay home and off the roads from 11:00 pm until an all-clear is issued.

“This request is to protect you, and helps protect emergency responders from making any unnecessary call-outs.

“I’d like to assure the public that officers from our critical public services have been working to prepare for the impacts of Tropical Storm Fiona, putting storm plans into action. I know that many of you at home have been doing your own last-minute preparations, and I thank you for doing your part to help the Virgin Islands Be Ready,” Mr Archer Jr stated.