Hurricane Ernesto leaves devastation in Puerto Rico and raises concerns about infrastructure.

The storm Ernesto has left a deep mark on Puerto Rico, becoming a Category 1 hurricane this Wednesday after battering the Caribbean island with torrential rains and winds reaching 120 km/h. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the storm has caused over 600,000 customers to lose electricity, raising concerns about the island's electrical infrastructure, which remains vulnerable after the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017. The intense rains, which in some areas have reached up to 243 mm in just 24 hours, have caused the Canóvanas River to overflow, increasing the risk of flooding in northeastern Puerto Rico. This weather phenomenon has been classified by experts as one of the most severe in the past year, highlighting the fragility of the drainage system and response capacity to extreme weather events. The emergency declaration signed by President Joe Biden on Tuesday night allows access to federal resources to help the island in its recovery process. However, Puerto Rico's recent history with hurricanes raises serious questions about the effectiveness of prevention and response measures to natural disasters. The island has already faced devastation from previous hurricanes, such as Fiona in 2022, which left 80% of the population without electricity for a month. Joseph Niskar, a lawyer who moved to Puerto Rico seeking a change of life after Hurricane Maria, has expressed his fear of experiencing prolonged water and electricity outages once again. "We have already seen what can happen. The uncertainty is overwhelming," commented Niskar, reflecting the anxiety of many Puerto Ricans who have firsthand experienced the ineffectiveness of the electrical infrastructure. Luma Energy, the company responsible for energy distribution and transmission on the island, has reported that Puerto Rico's electrical grid continues to suffer frequent outages, a problem that has worsened in recent years. Despite Congress approving $1 billion to modernize and stabilize the electrical grid after Hurricane Fiona, many citizens question whether these investments have been sufficient or well-managed. Currently, communities are working on cleaning up and recovering their homes, while many face the challenge of living without basic services. Local authorities have urged the population to stay informed and prepare for emergency situations, as Ernesto's trajectory could lead it to become a Category 3 hurricane in the coming days. The NHC warns that the storm will head towards the northern Atlantic, where it could affect the British territory of Bermuda later this week. This has raised growing concerns about the safety of coastal communities in its path, as well as the potential impact on economic and tourism activities in the region. As the storm moves, Puerto Ricans face the challenge of rebuilding their lives amid a prolonged crisis. The experience of extreme weather events has led many to reconsider their future on the island, while others remain steadfast in their commitment to move forward despite the adversities. The current situation has also highlighted the urgent need to invest in resilient infrastructure that can withstand the elements. The lack of a robust electrical system has left Puerto Rico in a vulnerable position, and only time will tell if the measures taken after previous disasters will be sufficient to protect the island from similar phenomena in the future. Finally, Ernesto's passage has served as a reminder of the challenges Puerto Rico faces, a territory that has survived numerous storms but still struggles to find stability and security for its population. The community remains united, hoping that recovery will be quicker this time and that effective decisions will be made to safeguard its future against climate change and its devastating effects.