In a press conference in which the governor, Wanda Vázquez, did not participate, officials of the government of Puerto Rico offered details of the preparations for the passage of Storm Laura through the Puerto Rico area.
The government spokesman was the resigning Secretary of State, Elmer Román, whose resignation was effective today, but was asked to postpone it until Sunday due to the emergency of the storm. Román said they had a conference with the heads of agencies of the emergency response apparatus and that the governor participated virtually. He said the emergency plans were activated.
“The (emergency) areas of operations are activated,” said Roman. The official indicated that 232 brigades of the Electric Power Authority have already activated to be aware of failures during the passage of the storm through the Puerto Rico area.
In the case of the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, it was reported that they have 116 generators to support their water distribution system.
Regarding the shelters, Román indicated that the Housing Department has already distributed the list of facilities available to mayors.
In the case of Natural Resources, he assured that they verified that everything works with the bomb houses to avoid floods.
From the National Meteorological Service, Roberto García reported that earlier it was “found that the center (of the storm) had reformed a little further south.” García said that the closest point of the system to Puerto Rico will happen tomorrow, Saturday. “The most significant impact is the rain it can leave behind,” said the meteorologist. He spoke of up to eight inches and stressed that this rain can cause rivers and streams, as well as land, to react faster than when the passage of Storm Isaías because we are no longer in a drought scenario.
The sustained winds that we can expect in the system are between 35 to 40 miles per hour on the Big Island and in the municipal islands of Vieques and Culebra up to 45 miles per hour. Gusts of up to 55 miles per hour can be expected in mountainous areas and coasts. García pointed out that these winds can cause branches and trees to fall on the power lines.
Puerto Rico will experience tropical storm conditions from before midnight in the municipal islands, but for the big island it would be just before sunrise. Bursts can be felt before then. García pointed out that all day Saturday and until Sunday afternoon “we are going to experience tropical storm winds” and heavy rains.
“The bulk of the rains are expected between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning,” explained the SNM spokesman.
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