UPDATED: Heavy Rain, 185-MPH Winds From Hurricane Irma Hit Puerto Rico
Last edited Wed Sep 6, 2017, 05:41 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: Associated Press
By DANICA COTO Published SEPTEMBER 6, 2017 2:10 PM
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Heavy rain and 185-mph winds lashed the Virgin Islands and Puerto Ricos northeast coast Wednesday as Hurricane Irma roared through Caribbean islands on its way to a possible hit on South Florida.
The strongest Atlantic Ocean hurricane ever measured destroyed homes and flooded streets across a chain of small islands in the northern Caribbean, passing directly over Barbuda and leaving the island of some 1,700 people incommunicado.
France sent emergency food and water rations to the French islands of Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy, where Irma ripped off roofs and knocked out all electricity. Dutch marines who flew to three Dutch islands hammered by Irma reported extensive damage but no deaths or injuries.
While France received no immediate reports of casualties, the minister for French overseas territories, Annick Girardin, said: We have a lot to fear for a certain number of our compatriots who unfortunately didnt want to listen to the protection measures and go to more secure sites
Were preparing for the worst.
Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/hurricane-irma-rains-hit-puerto-rico
UPDATE:
Puerto Rico Losing PowerRight As Hurricane Irma Is About To Hit
During Hurricane Harvey, much of Texas power grid stayed upand helped saved countless lives. Twenty percent of Puerto Ricos power is already out.
OLIVIA MESSER
PABLO VENES
09.06.17 3:22 PM ET
ARECIBO, Puerto RicoHurricane Irma, the most powerful hurricane to originate from the Atlantic Ocean in recorded history, is expected to hit Puerto Rico in full around 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening. But the commonwealthand its vulnerable and fragile power gridare already buckling under the strain.
The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) had already suffered problems as of early Wednesday afternoon, leaving thousands without electricity. We have reports that 20 percent of the island is already without electricity, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said at a news conference. (That translates to nearly 300,000 residents without power.)
The power outages dont just mean that Puerto Ricans will be forced to brave the storm in the dark. For locals, no electricity means no waterthe system depends entirely on electricity to supply it.
Without cell service or power, folks in need of help wont be able to call emergency services, let alone civilian heroes.
And if all the power goes out, officials say the island could be without it for four to six months.
more
http://www.thedailybeast.com/puerto-rico-losing-powerright-as-hurricane-irma-is-about-to-hit
FLPanhandle
(7,107 posts)The eye of Irma is passing north of Puerto Rico and they have not had nor will have 185mph winds.
The highest winds so far reported in Puerto Rico are around Category 1 level.
The storm is big and dangerous but these type of panic headlines are getting out of hand.
Lochloosa
(16,064 posts)DonViejo
(60,536 posts)8 p.m. tonight. I'll let my PR friends know you think they're on the "good side."
FLPanhandle
(7,107 posts)And, as anyone who has been through multiple hurricanes will tell you, there is a big difference when out of the NE quadrant of a hurricane. Be glad they are on the "good side".
DonViejo
(60,536 posts)hurricanes and the only discussions I've heard about your "good side", is in reference to the north side of the Dominican Republic
FLPanhandle
(7,107 posts)Right now, San Juan isn't even expected to get Category 1 winds. If the eye went south of San Juan, the difference would be dramatic.
So yes, PR is on the good side as anyone who has grown up in hurricane country knows. I tell you what, tomorrow pull the wind speed for San Juan and come back and post them.