Hurricane Ernesto devastates Puerto Rico, leaving rivers overflowing and thousands without power.

The passage of Hurricane Ernesto through Puerto Rico has brought with it a devastating scene, leaving overflowing rivers, flooded streets, and a significant disruption in the electric supply in its wake. Since Wednesday morning, the cyclone, which had intensified to a category 1 with winds of up to 75 mph, began unleashing its fury on the island, particularly affecting the eastern part of the country. As the day progressed, the effects of the weather phenomenon became evident, with reports of damage in various locations. Aibonito, one of the most impacted municipalities, faced serious complications due to the intense rains, which had reached accumulations of 7 inches by noon. Emergency management authorities were busy trying to mitigate the effects of landslides and mudslides, while other towns, like Toa Alta, reported closed roads due to rivers overflowing their banks. Road PR-824 and PR-861 remained impassable due to the rising of the La Plata River. Ernesto Rodríguez, director of the National Weather Service (NWS), issued a warning about the risk of flooding, indicating that the levels of several rivers were alarmingly close to exceeding their limits. In Caguas, the situation was critical with the Bairoa River covering part of a bridge, and the Río Grande de Loíza in San Lorenzo also under monitoring. Rodríguez urged the public not to cross flooded areas, aware that such actions could put their lives in grave danger. The situation is not only concerning in terms of flooding and natural disasters, but the impact of the hurricane has also led more than 375 people to seek refuge in shelters set up by the government. So far, 72 shelters have been established in different municipalities, and the offshore municipalities of Vieques and Culebra have reported severe damage, including fallen trees and damage to electrical and housing infrastructure. The interruption of electric service has been another critical effect of the hurricane. At 12:40 p.m., over 725,000 customers of LUMA Energy were without power, representing almost half of all subscribers of the Electric Power Authority. The company has reported that its crews are on standby to conduct inspections and repairs as soon as it is safe, prioritizing the restoration of essential services, including hospitals and drinking water systems. Governor Pedro Pierluisi has asked citizens to remain in their homes, emphasizing the importance of not interfering with the work of emergency crews tirelessly working in the streets. He announced that he would provide more information about the resumption of operations in schools and government offices in a press conference scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Meanwhile, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan has resumed its operations, although the passage of Ernesto has left a trail of cancellations, with 145 flights canceled the day before and 80 more today. Aerostar, the airport's operating company, is working to normalize the situation. At the federal level, U.S. President Joe Biden has declared an emergency for the 78 municipalities of Puerto Rico, which will facilitate the mobilization of resources and federal assistance to help the island face this crisis. Images shared on social media reflect the magnitude of the devastation, with streets covered in water and debris, highlighting the serious situation faced by thousands of Puerto Ricans. The community is in a critical moment, where solidarity and cooperation will be essential to overcome this emergency. Hurricane Ernesto is yet another reminder of Puerto Rico's vulnerability to natural phenomena, a call to action to improve infrastructure and ensure the safety of the population. The island's residents are dealing with the effects of the storm, but their resilience will be tested in the coming days as they strive to recover from this crisis.