Hurricane Fiona Gathers Strength, Heads for Bermuda, As Puerto Ricans Seek Recovery

A strengthened Hurricane Fiona moves toward the island of Bermuda today. The storm already hit Puerto Rico hard. The storm also battered the Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos. Fiona was upgraded to a Category 4 storm Wednesday. That means its winds are now roaring at least 130 mph. It could cause even greater damage.

At least four people were killed in the US territory of Puerto Rico from the storm. Most remain without power or running water. Winds, rains, floodwaters, and landslides washed out homes and roads. Hundreds of thousands have been left homeless.

Residents now worry about how long it will take to recover. Many Puerto Ricans are still reeling from Hurricane Maria in 2017. That storm killed nearly 3,000 people and knocked out power for months. 

"This was worse (than Maria),” a resident told The Associated Press. Up to 25 inches of rain fell in some parts of Puerto Rico. 

To make do, people formed long lines at gas stations. They also gathered water from streams. Generators helped power homes and businesses across the island.

Celebrities took to social media to ask people to give money toward relief efforts. Jennifer Lopez, a singer and actor, donated nearly $1 million in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

Photo from Reuters.