Current:Home > ScamsBattered by Hurricane Fiona, this is what a blackout looks like across Puerto Rico -WealthMap Solutions
Battered by Hurricane Fiona, this is what a blackout looks like across Puerto Rico
View
Date:2025-04-18 21:04:04
Hurricane Fiona made landfall in the Dominican Republic on Monday morning, as millions in Puerto Rico face flash flooding, mudslides and an island-wide blackout.
The National Hurricane Center warned that the Category 1 hurricane is moving into the Atlantic and is likely to strengthen. Fiona, which is traveling with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, is forecast to travel near or east of the Turks and Caicos Islands as early as Monday night.
In Puerto Rico, the full extent of the damage is still unclear as the storm has unleashed torrential rains across much of the island, causing massive flooding and landslides. Island officials have said that some roads, bridges and other infrastructure have been damaged or washed away as a result of the downpour.
Most of the island also remains without power, according to utility companies' reports tracked by PowerOutage.us. More than 775,000 residents also have no access to clean water.
The latest hurricane to batter the U.S. territory, Fiona struck two days before the fifth anniversary of Maria, the devastating storm that killed more than 3,000 people and nearly destroyed the island's electricity system.
On Monday, Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi called the damages to the island's housing and fragile infrastructure from the Category 1 storm "catastrophic."
"In many areas, flooding is worse than what we saw during Hurricane Maria," Pierluisi said during a press briefing.
"So far we've gotten about 30 inches of rain, even in areas where they had never experienced flooding," he added.
Heavy rainfall and life-threatening flooding risks are expected to last through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. The saturation "will also continue to trigger mudslides and rockfall in areas of steep terrain."
Fiona's powerful winds and the subsequent deluge of rainfall knocked out the island's power grid, throwing the island into a blackout. Officials have said it will take several days to fully restore service to over a million residents.
Shortly after the hurricane struck on Sunday, Pierluisi said it would be a "matter of days," and not months, to fully restore the grid — referring to the drawn-out power restoration after Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Since then, the island's power crews were able to restore electricity to about 100,000 customers living in the northeast region near the capital San Juan, Luma Energy, the island's private electric utility, wrote on Facebook.
President Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Puerto Rico on Sunday, authorizing the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts.
Adrian Florido contributed reporting.
veryGood! (47)
Related
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- When is Olympic gymnastics balance beam final? What to know about Paris Games event
- Celine Dion saves a wet 'n wild Paris Olympics opening ceremony: Review
- Comedian Carrot Top reflects on his 30-year friendship with Toby Keith
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- Judge sends Milwaukee man to prison for life in 2023 beating death of 5-year-old boy
- Céline Dion's dazzling Olympics performance renders Kelly Clarkson speechless
- Paris Olympics are time to shine for Breanna Stewart, A'ja Wilson: 'We know what's at stake'
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Olympic opening ceremony outfits ranked: USA gave 'dress-down day at a boarding school'
Ranking
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Even on quiet summer weekends, huge news stories spread to millions more swiftly than ever before
- Evy Leibfarth 'confident' for other Paris Olympics events after mistakes in kayak slalom
- FIFA deducts points from Canada in Olympic women’s soccer tourney due to drone use
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Paris Olympics: Why Fries and Avocados Are Banned in the Olympic Village
- Is Christian Pulisic playing in the Olympics? Why USMNT star isn't at 2024 Paris Games
- Wisconsin Republicans ask voters to take away governor’s power to spend federal money
Recommendation
Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
Allegations left US fencers pitted against each other weeks before the Olympics
Top Shoe Deals from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2024: Up to 50% Off OluKai, Paige, Stuart Weitzman & More
How many gold medals does Simone Biles have? What to know about her records, wins, more
San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
Can tech help solve the Los Angeles homeless crisis? Finding shelter may someday be a click away
New ‘Dexter’ sequel starring Michael C. Hall announced at Comic-Con
Drone-spying scandal: FIFA strips Canada of 6 points in Olympic women’s soccer, bans coaches 1 year