Puerto Rico News For September 22, 2016

LIGHTS OUT FOR PUERTO RICO

PLANT FIRE LEAVES ALL OF PR WITHOUT POWER

A fire of unknown origin broke out yesterday afternoon at the Central Ag-

uirre power plant in the southern town of Salinas, causing a massive failu-

re which left the entire island of Puerto Rico -- along with Vieques and Cu-

lebra -- without electrical service. The power failure also left over a quarter

of a million households without running water. Police were deployed acr-

oss the island to direct traffic at select interesections, with two officers,one 

in Guaynabo and one in Caguas, being hit by cars. Both received non-life-

threatening injuries.

Hotels all over the San Juan metro area and beyond were packed, as many

island residents opted for staying in air conditioned hotel rooms rather than

suffer the lack of power in their homes. Lines to check in at the Convention

Center Sheraton were reportedly over an hour long. 

Classes were suspended for today at all public schools, the University of

Puerto Rico, and at most private schools and universities. Non-essential

government employees were instructed to show up for work on Thursday

at 12 noon. While power has been reestablished for about 130,000 users a-

cross Puerto Rico as of this writing, over one million households are still
without electricity this morning. Ports, ferries and airports were operating
normally yesterday and this morning. No out of the ordinary flight delays
have occurred or are expected.

Yesterday's failure resulted in the largest blackout in Puerto Rico since 

1980.

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Puerto Rico News Digest For July 31, 2015

GURABO ON FIRE, 1,000 ACRES BURNT

Largest Reported Forest Fire In PR History

A large forest fire broke out in an area of Gurabo on Wednesday, and is still
producing large amounts of smoke, as firefighters and the Puerto Rico Natio-
nal Guard continue their efforts to extinguish it, drawing water from the Gu-
rabo River to do so. PR Firefighters spokesman Angel Crespo told El Nuevo
Día that the fire is under control, but there are still isolated spots where it might
still be burning, and that the possibility exists for the main fire to reignite. Near-
ly 1,000 acres have been scorched on lands extending from the Police Academy
in Gurabo to the Caguas Expressway Motors dealership in nearby Caguas. Mo-
torists driving along highways PR-30 and PR-52 (Luis A. Ferré Expressway)
are being advised to drive carefully through the area today, as the haze and smo-
ke have reduced visibility. Slight rain registered over some of the island last ni-
ght did not reach the fire area. According to the authorities, the Gurabo fire is
the largest forest fire ever reported in Puerto Rico.

GOV'T CASH CRUNCH THREATENS PAYMENTS

From Caribbean Business:

"As the first month of the fiscal year comes to an end, the Puerto Rico govern-
ment continues to face significant fiscal challenges, facing several debt-servi-
ce payments that are due in August, as it maneuvers to avoid defaulting on
them amid a severe cash crunch. In all, the debt-service tab for the next mon-
th totals about $667 million..."

LA PLATA CUSTOMERS TO GO TO 2-DAY RATIONING

From The San Juan Daily Star:

As the days pass and no rain falls on the island, the drought that has hit Puerto
Rico continues to worsen and water levels at the reservoirs continue to drop.
For this reason, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) has
no other choice than to extend the water rationing plan by mid-August..."

ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL EXPANDS TO PR

From Music Times:

Ultra Music Festival continues its outward expansion with a new announce-
ment that it will host a new one-day this fall in Puerto Rico. This will be the
first festival for the global electronic music festival brand in the Caribbean.
The move to Puerto Rico will take place on October 2..."