The greater part of all homes and organizations in Puerto Rico have been left without power, following the appearance of Tempest Ernesto.
CBS News, the US partner of the BBC, reported that the primary power provider for the Caribbean island, LUMA Energy, stated that approximately 998,000 customers did not have access to electricity as of 03:05 EDT (07:05 GMT).
Ernesto, which developed into a class 1 storm on Wednesday, is proceeding to reinforce with whirlwinds to 85mph (140km/h) heading further north towards Bermuda, where making landfall on Friday is normal.
The storm passed through Puerto Rico overnight and could turn into a major hurricane in the next 48 hours, according to forecasters. The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said that some areas could see up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain.
Juan Saca, LUMA’s leader and CEO, expressed in excess of 1,500 representatives were working in the field to “restore administration” and switch the power back on.
He stated to the news organization Reuters, “We have to evaluate what needs to be done to be able to resolve it.”
Hurricanes have previously destroyed Puerto Rico’s power grid. When Hurricane Fiona struck the island in 2022, approximately 80% of homes and businesses were without power for nearly a month.
Ernesto is the fifth named storm this season to hit the Atlantic.
Typhoon Beryl was the earliest Classification 5 tempest on record in the Atlantic when it moved throughout the Caribbean and the Texas Bay Coast last month, killing many individuals and leaving millions without power
Hurricane Ernesto’s Intensification Leaves Over Half Of Puerto Rico Without Electricity
