The Atlantic provinces could be hit hard this weekend by Fiona, which is currently a Category 3 hurricane.
While it’s too early to tell how severe the storm will be when it gets here, CBC meteorologist Jay Scotland said now is the time to start preparing.
“It’s still too early to forecast potential rainfall, height or peak winds,” he said. “Those impacts will be very track dependent.
“That being said, with this storm potentially approaching as a hurricane, [Prince Edward] Islanders should be prepared for an extended period of heavy rain and tropical storm-force winds.”
Scotland suggests securing loose items, cleaning gutters and storing essentials.
As it stands, the eye of the hurricane is due to enter Canadian waters on Saturday morning and will pass over the eastern tip of Cape Breton by midday.
This chart shows the level of wind that various parts of Prince Edward Island could experience. (Jay Scotland/CBC)
The U.S.-based National Hurricane Center shows a fairly high probability that the Maritimes will experience tropical storm-force sustained winds of 63 km/h or more, “and that doesn’t take into account the potentially stronger gusts,” it said Scotland
“With the trees still in full leaf, [we] You should also be prepared for power outages. Finally, both coastal and inland flooding is possible due to heavy rainfall, high water levels and waves.
(Jay Scotland/CBC)
The powerful hurricane has already caused widespread damage in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.