Fiona nearing hurricane strength, flash flooding and mudslides expected for Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic

Fiona continues to show signs of organization Sunday morning as the center of the storm closes in on Puerto Rico. Maximum sustained winds have increased to 70 mph and the pressure has decreased to 991 mb, indicating a strengthening storm. 

Hurricane Warnings remain in effect for Puerto Rico as well as parts of the Dominican Republic this morning. Fiona is expected to continue to bring strong winds, heavy rain and flash flooding to the region as well as landslides and mudslides in areas of higher terrain. Rainfall totals could exceed a foot in Puerto Rico while widespread 4-8 inches are expected in parts of Dominican Republic.

While Fiona will continue to battle westerly wind shear, the storm is expected to continue to intensify in the coming days due to warm water temperatures and favorable environmental conditions.

Fiona is currently moving west northwest at 8 mph. A more northwest track is expected later today, then a turn to the north early this week as an approaching trough steers the storm away from the Bahamas and the eastern U.S.