Thousands of people in Puerto Rico lost power this week after the island was hit by hurricane Ernesto.
The intense rainfall and winds reportedly left over 120,000 without water and an additional 730,000 without power. As the former tropical storm, now a hurricane, continues to batter the island, authorities have warned of an increased risk of flooding. At least 375 people have been evacuated to shelters due to the unsafe conditions.
Although the island’s main energy supplier, Luma Energy, has not yet begun to restore power, the company’s CEO assured residents that it is equipped to do so.
In a Spanish-language press briefing on Wednesday, Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi warned that he is unsure as to when power will ultimately be restored. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Puerto Rico, authorizing aid from FEMA.
The agency is reportedly planning to utilize resources it has stored in emergency warehouses on the island.