Photo: NOAA
(Miami, FL) -- Tropical Storm Fiona is expected to turn into a hurricane today as it threatens to dump huge amounts of rain on Puerto Rico.
The National Hurricane Center says Fiona currently has 70-mile-an-hour winds as it churns just about 65 miles southeast of Puerto Rico. It should reach hurricane strength by the time it makes landfall later today.
Forecasters warn that Fiona could dump up to 24 inches of rain in some parts of the island, leading to dangerous mudslides and flash flooding.
Fiona is also expected to affect the Dominican Republic before it turns north into the Atlantic.
Florida residents and millions along the Southeast coast are being urged to prepare just in case.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT AT 8AM EDT:
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra
* The coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Caucedo to CaboFrances Viejo
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* North coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Frances Viejowestward to Puerto Plata
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* British Virgin Islands
* North coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Frances Viejo westward to Puerto Plata
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* South coast of the Dominican Republic west of Cabo Caucedo to Barahona
* Turks and Caicos Islands
* Southeastern Bahamas, including the Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, the Inaguas, Mayaguana, and the Ragged Islands