Hurricane Fiona – latest: ‘Very powerful’ storm hits Nova Scotia after killing eight people in Puerto Rico

Meteorologist Jaclyn Whittal has shared footage of ruptured trees in downtown Charlottetown as wind blows at “131 km/hr”.

The provincial Emergency Management Office (NSEMO) of Nova Scotia has asked the residents to “minimise the risk of property damage and personal injury by being prepared for potentially severe weather this weekend.”

The basic checklist includes:

• having enough food and water for 72 hours
• monitoring local media outlets for updates
• securing gates, doors and windows
• moving yard furniture and securing trash cans, hanging plants and anything that can be picked up by wind
• checking radio batteries
• filling vehicles with gas and parking them away from trees
• keeping pets inside
• moving any type of watercraft to high ground
• ensuring personal and family safety
• checking on neighbours
• not leaving candles unattended

Mi’kmaq leader and senator of Prince Edward Island Brian Francis has sent his well wishes to residents of Atlantic Canada.

On Friday (23 September), he wrote on Twitter: “My thoughts tonight are with Islanders and residents of Atlantic Canada/Eastern Quebec.

“With no signs of slowing down, #HurricaneFiona is expected to cause dangerous conditions and significant damage. Please stay safe and informed! & check on vulnerable relatives and neighbours!”

As Hurricane Fiona hits Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has urged citizens “to be mindful of the dangers” that the storm may present.

“As the storm approaches, it is important to remember that extreme weather will result in hazardous conditions, decreased visibility and possible hydro-planning on our roads and highways,” the RCMP website states. “Drivers may also encounter wind-blown debris on the road and sudden flooding which can be dangerous for motorists and detrimental to highway conditions.

“The RCMP encourage the public to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles and refrain from unnecessary travel until after the storm has passed and clean-up efforts are complete.

“If you must travel, allow for additional travel time, let someone know your destination, slow down, watch for pooling water and use your hazard signals if you must stop along the way.”

The police is also encouraging the residents to maintain a “safe viewing distance along beaches and shorelines” as storm-driven waves and tides can cause unpredictable and deadly conditions, as anyone close to the coast could be swept into the ocean.

Nova Scotia residents continue to share footage of hurricane Fiona with clips showing trees falling on roads.

Mark Robinson says that the “waves are overtopping the docks” in Louisbourg, Nova Scotia as hurricane Fiona hits the province.

Storm hunter Mark Robinson is sharing live updates of “extreme wind and waves” caused by hurricane Fiona from the docks in Louisbourg, Nova Scotia.

“Situation is rapidly deteriorating on the docks in Louisbourg,” he says in his video. “You can see behind me that the winds are ticking up the ocean and just flinging it up and over.

“I’m tasting salt water. I’m smelling the ocean.

“As we get closer to the centre of the storm, this [place] is likely going to be underwater.”

Half of Puerto Rico is experiencing a power cut more than five days after Hurricane Fiona struck, including an entire town where not a single work crew has arrived.

Many residents of the US territory are angry and incredulous, and calls are growing for the ouster of the island’s private electricity transmission and distribution company.

They’re questioning why it is taking so long to restore power since Fiona was a Category 1 storm that did not affect the entire island, and whose rain – not wind – inflicted the greatest damage.

By 11.59pm yesterday, there were more than 153,000 customers without power, according to the utility company’s online outage map.

Many of those outages were because of high winds and rain, according to the map. It said the power could be back on by Saturday (24 September) for some, while others may need to wait until Wednesday (28 September).