According to local media, other rivers overflowed in the southeast of the island, flooding roads and urban areas, and in the mountains and southwest, several families have lost the roof of their houses due to gusts of wind and have had to take refuge in shelters set up by the government.
AFP
Hurricane Fiona made landfall this Sunday in southern Puerto Rico, two days before the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Maria's arrival that devastated the island.
Fiona, which has already plunged this entire US territory into darkness, made landfall after 3 p.m. near Tocon Point (southwest), the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported.
The hurricane is moving forward with winds of up to 140 km/h. It is currently a Category 1 hurricane, the lowest of the five on the Saffir-Simpson scale, but the NHC indicated that it is expected to "strengthen further over the next 48 hours.".
The storm has caused a general blackout on the island since shortly after 13:00 (17:00 GMT), reported the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, the public corporation in charge of electricity generation.
That entity has already managed to restart several generators, a first step towards restoring the electrical grid, its director, Josué Colón, indicated in a television interview.
According to established protocols, once that network is reactivated, the authority will first attempt to restore service to hospitals and other government buildings that provide essential services.
Rivers overflowing
The Grande de Loiza River and the Cagüitas River, in the north and center of the island, overflowed in some areas, the U.S. National Weather Service reported on Twitter.
“Communities along these rivers should consider moving to higher ground immediately,” he added.
According to local media, other rivers overflowed in the southeast of the island, flooding roads and urban areas, and in the mountains and southwest, several families have lost the roof of their houses due to gusts of wind and have had to take refuge in shelters set up by the government.
In the morning, the governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi, urged the population to take shelter.
“We ask our people to stay in their homes and seek shelter if needed. We remain under a hurricane warning,” he declared at a press conference. “Due to its size, this storm will be impacting all of Puerto Rico,” he added.
Pierluisi announced the suspension of classes in schools on Monday, given forecasts that the rains will continue.
It also canceled the work of government employees, except for those in critical positions or providing essential services during the emergency.
US President Joe Biden on Sunday approved a declaration of a state of emergency in Puerto Rico, a measure that allows federal funds to be released for relief efforts.
The former Spanish colony became a U.S. territory in the late 19th century before gaining the status of a free associated state in 1950.
Havoc"
Authorities anticipate rainfall of 20 to 25 inches (508 mm to 635 mm) in isolated areas of Puerto Rico, a significantly lower amount than the nearly 40 inches recorded during Hurricane Maria, which struck the Caribbean territory almost five years ago.
“We can expect some damage, but not on the level of Maria,” said Ernesto Morales of the NWS at the same press conference as the governor.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico was cut off from communication and large areas were without electricity for months. Nearly 3,000 people died as a result of the disaster, according to the official count.
Fiona already caused serious damage as it passed through Guadeloupe on Friday night. In some places, the water rose to more than 1.5 meters in that French territory. A man died there, swept away along with his house by a swollen river.
The warming of the ocean surface increases the frequency of the most virulent hurricanes, with stronger winds and more intense rainfall, he said.
