US: Puerto Rico affected by island-wide blackout April 18 /update 1

Event

Puerto Rico has been affected by an island-wide blackout as of the morning of Wednesday, April 18 (local time). Associated disruptions are likely until power is restored, including traffic congestion due to inoperable stoplights, flight disruptions (including delays and cancelations), and commercial disruptions. Further details regarding the power outage are still emerging.

Context

Puerto Rico's electricity and water grids were devastated by Hurricane Maria when the storm struck the island in September 2017 and recovery efforts are ongoing. Regular power outages, along with other issues, have had a severe impact on the territory's economy and daily life on the island.

Advice

Individuals in Puerto Rico are advised to keep battery-operated devices fully charged whenever possible. In addition, individuals are advised to be cautious when driving or crossing streets if traffic signals are not functioning.