25 Sep 2017 | 05:34 PM UTC
United States: Puerto Rico dam remains at risk Sep. 25
Guajataca Dam in Puerto Rico remains at risk of collapse as of September 25; evacuation orders in place for Isabela and Quebradillas
Event
Puerto Rico’s Guajataca Dam continues to be at risk of failure as of Monday, September 25. The dam was critically damaged during Hurricane Maria, presenting the risk of deadly flooding downstream should a collapse occur. Reports say that many local residents in Isabela and Quebradillas have not followed Governor Ricardo Rosselló orders evacuate the area to designated shelters, and remain in harm’s way.
In addition, officials say the island-wide curfew, running from 19:00 (local time) to 05:00 nightly, remains in place until further notice.
Context
Hurricane Maria caused significant damage in many areas of Puerto Rico, prompting US President Trump to approve a major disaster declaration for Puerto Rico on September 21. Southeastern Puerto Rico, where the storm made landfall, is believed to have been the worst hit. At least 13 fatalities have been reported as of September 25, but the death toll is likely to rise as recovery efforts continue. The entire island remains without power, and the island's governor has warned that full services may not be restored for several months. Ongoing water cuts, telecommunication issues, and transportation disruptions are to be anticipated in the coming days and potentially weeks.
On September 22, officials ordered residents to be evacuated from the Isabela and Quebradillas municipalities after the Guajataca Dam began to exhibit signs of structural failure; over 70,000 people were ordered to evacuate from the area.
Advice
Individuals present in Puerto Rico are advised to adhere to all official directives (including evacuation or shelter-in-place orders), to keep abreast of weather alerts, and to avoid coastal and mountainous areas as much as possible until conditions stabilize (risk of flooding and landslides). Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult. Finally, because floodwater may also contain wastewater or chemical products, wear boots and try to avoid any contact with the water. All items having come into contact with the water should be washed and disinfected and foodstuffs discarded.