Governor says ‘large portion’ of Puerto Rico will soon be in power
Hurricane Fiona got stronger on Tuesday when it rolling through Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic after flooding the islands with up to 30 inches of rain, causing flooding, landslides and devastation.
The storm hit the Turks and Caicos Islands as a Category 3 storm, blowing away the territory of some 40,000 people in the UK with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. The government imposed a curfew and urged people to leave flood-prone areas as the archipelago was bracing for a 5 to 8 foot high tide.
Early Wednesday, the storm threatened to strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane as it hit the Turks and Caicos Islands and was forecast to pass over Bermuda later this week.
About 80% of Puerto Rico remained without power early Tuesday, more than 24 hours after the storm shut down the island’s entire electrical system, although officials said they were working to restore parts of the island. it. Officials said water service had been cut off to more than 837,000 customers – two-thirds of all customers on the island.
Governor Pedro Pierluisi and electricity distribution company LUMA Energy both said “a large part” of the island will have power back on Wednesday, El Nuevo Dia newspaper reported. Pierluisi allows the possibility that could take up to the weekend.
The governor also requested a major disaster declaration, which, if approved, would free up federal funds for public and private assistance. US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would urge the federal government to cover 100% of disaster response costs as part of that statement, instead of the usual 75%.
In the Dominican Republic, more than 1 million people are without running water and 700,000 homes and businesses are without electricity, according to the National Emergency Operations Center.
At least three deaths have been reported, two in Puerto Rico and one in the Dominican Republic.
PICTURE:Hurricane Fiona floods homes, streets in Puerto Rico
HOW TO HELP:Consider mutual aid, nonprofits to help support Puerto Ricans
Evolution:
►More rain is forecast this week in parts of Puerto Rico, and conditions have not improved significantly. The National Weather Service warned: “Flash floods, urban flooding and moderate to large life-threatening flooding, as well as landslides, are likely to occur in southern and eastern Puerto Rico.” through Tuesday due to rainfall from Hurricane Fiona”.
►Thousands of people have been displaced as Puerto Rico authorities say at least 2,300 people and 250 pets have been in shelters across the island.
►In Grand Turk, stormy conditions are hitting the capital of the tiny British territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The government imposed a curfew and urged people to leave flood-prone areas.
►For the continental United States, Forecasters say the storm is unlikely to threaten the United States.
Here’s what we know:
Hurricane Fiona at risk of getting stronger to Category 4
Late Tuesday night, Fiona was centered about 95 miles north of North Caicos, with hurricane-force winds up to 30 miles from the center. It has maximum sustained winds of 125 mph and is moving north at 8 mph, according to the Hurricane Center, which says the storm is likely to strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane as it approaches. Bermuda on Friday.
FEMA tries to correct Maria’s mistakes
The head of FEMA said Tuesday the agency will send “hundreds of additional staff” to Puerto Rico in the coming days, in addition to the more than 1,000 people already on the island in response to Hurricane Fiona. some 700 of them have supported recovery efforts from Hurricane Maria, which was devastating 5 years ago.
Deanne Criswell, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was among those who recently traveled to the US territory, arriving Tuesday to assess the damage and figure out what other resources might be needed. .
Criswell said in a statement that FEMA intends to “place staff in each impacted community to supplement our already extensive footprint.”
That is in stark contrast to 2017, when FEMA’s response to Maria’s impact on Puerto Rico was widely criticized, prompting the agency to admit mistakes in organization, preparation, and personnel. in an internal report the following year.
The agency said it increased the number of warehouses in Puerto Rico from one to four and increased the supply of food and water tenfold.
“FEMA is very well positioned for this response,” said Keith Turi, assistant administrator for the recovery department. “We have made a lot of progress in planning and preparation with our partners in Puerto Rico and the municipalities over the past five years. ”
Initial population in Dominican Republic: 1 dead, 12,000 displaced
More than 1,000 residents of the Dominican Republic were forced to live in shelters Tuesday after Fiona tore through the country. More than 1 million of the country’s nearly 12 million people do not have running water, and more than 700,000 homes and businesses are without electricity, the National Emergency Operations Center said.
One death was reported, 12,485 people were displaced, 3,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, and four bridges collapsed.
Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the organization, told Dominica today Isidro Odalis Smith, 68, was crushed by a fallen tree in the northern town of Nagua in Maria Trinidad Sanchez province.
President Luis Abinader pledged to restore drinking water and electrical service to communities “as soon as possible.” He said authorities will need several days to assess the damage.
Officials have closed ports and beaches and asked most people to stay home from work. The storm closed several highways, and a cruise pier in the town of Miches was severely damaged by high waves. Officials said at least four international airports were closed.
How can you help?
Advocates emphasize the importance of supporting local organizations and grassroots mutual aid groups that provide on-site relief to communities in Puerto Rico. Many organizations are providing vital aid such as solar lights, generators, supplies and food.
To help Puerto Ricans and others in the Caribbean recover, here’s a a list of some nonprofits and mutual funds you can support.
More rain because Puerto Rico is overwhelmed
The National Weather Service warned of another 1 to 4 inches of rain for much of Puerto Rico on Wednesday morning. The total number of storms reached 12 to 20 inches in most areas, but some locations could reach 35 inches.
“Additional local flash flooding and urban flooding is possible in southern areas of Puerto Rico,” the weather agency said.
National Guard Brigade. General Narciso Cruz outlined the flood scenario by comparing it to the enormous amount of water that Hurricane Maria brought in five years ago on Tuesday.
“There were communities that were flooded in the storm that weren’t flooded under Maria,” says Cruz. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Fiona made landfall as a Category 1 storm Sunday afternoon on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico, then made landfall again early Monday on the east coast of the Dominican Republic.
2,500 affected in coastal Salinas
In hard-hit Salinas, a municipality of about 30,000 on Puerto Rico’s south coast, Mayor Kvelyn Bonilla estimated 2,500 people have been displaced. The National Guard led a response team in more than 500 underwater rescues, and Bonilla expressed gratitude for the rescue efforts “putting themselves at risk.”
“We had to do a huge operation to rescue people who were in completely flooded areas,” Bonilla said.
Minerva Monge, 70, was rescued by the National Guard with her husband after knee-deep water in their home.
“What I hope is that things calm down, the place dries up and we can come back,” she said.
Biden promises more federal aid
AccuWeather estimated economic impact on the island from Fiona at around $10 billion. President Joe Biden, who declared a state of emergency to release federal aid, said he spoke with Governor Pedro Pierluisi late Monday. Biden promised to ramp up support “significantly” in the coming days.
“Jill and I are praying for the people of Puerto Rico as Hurricane Fiona passes over your beautiful island,” Biden tweeted. “We’re here for you, and we’ll get through this together.”
Puerto Rico is still recovering from Hurricane Maria 5 years ago
Fiona hit Puerto Rico nearly five years after Hurricane Maria hit the island on September 20, 2017, with wind speeds of up to 155 mph — just 2 mph less than a Category 5 hurricane.
Maria has caused the deaths of nearly 3,000 people, destroyed power grids and devastated tens of thousands of homes – about 3,000 homes are still covered by tarps.
The bridge was built after Maria was swept away by Fiona
The devastation caused by Fiona across the island included a temporary bridge in the city of Utuado that was built after Hurricane Maria. The bridge over the Guanica River in the Central Highlands was swept away by floodwaters Sunday as Fiona made landfall.
United States Representative Roberto Lefranc Fortuño posted a video of the bridge, known as PR-123, was ripped off and washed away. Screams could be heard amid the clatter of metal as a man stood holding his head in disbelief.
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Contribution: Associated Press