Puerto Rico News Digest For August 31, 2015

RESERVOIR LEVELS GO UP AGAIN

Rains produced by Tropical Storm Erika and a low pressure  system that
passed over the island yesterday have helped  boost water levels at the
Carraízo and La Plata reservoirs. La Plata, the reservoir most affected by
the drought, was  up seven centimeters this morning. Carraízo increased
by 4 centimeters, with a total gain over the last several days of 2.67 me-
ters. Due to the increase, the water rationing plan for users served by Ca-
rraízo has been changed to two days without service and one day with wa-
ter from the recent three-days-off/one-day-on plan. The rationing plan for
users served by La Plata remains unchanged.

ERIKA LEAVES $20M IN AGRICULTURE LOSSES

From Caribbean Business:

After estimating preliminary losses at about $6 million in damaged agricul-
tural crops after Tropical Storm Erika’s passage through the island, these
estimates have soared to as much as $20 million, according to Puerto Rico
Agriculture Secretary Myrna Comas. Among the most damaged crops, par-
ticularly due to Erika’s winds, are plantains and bananas, while losses have
also been reported in coffee and orange plantations. Affected municipalities
include Yabucoa, Maunabo, Salinas, Adjuntas, Lares, Maricao and other
towns in the island’s mountainous region. Erika also ruined hydroponic
greenhouses and other shade-house projects.

CUOMO TO LEAD PR ECONOMIC DELEGATION

From NY Daily News:

In the midst of the economic crisis in Puerto Rico, Gov. Cuomo is set to ann-
ounce he’ll soon be leading a delegation to the troubled island,  sources tell the
Daily News. The “solidarity” trip is expected to take place in early September
and involve a group of “financial experts” and elected leaders, including City
Council Speaker and Puerto Rico native Melissa Mark-Viverito, said one sour-
ce familiar with the developing plans. “New York is home to more Puerto Ri-
cans than any other state in the country, and the governor believes we have a
responsibility to support our  friends in times of need,” the source said.

PUERTO RICO DELAYS FISCAL PLAN

From Reuters:

Tropical Storm Erika Aftermath

Erika skirted Puerto Rico's southern coast overnight, leaving behind
less damage, and less rain, than anticipated. Across most of the island,
between 1 and 3 inches of rain have been registered, which raised the
level of the Carraizo reservoir by 45 centimeters and La Plata's level
by 22 centimeters. A bit more rain is expected, and the morning is
still relatively windy. But for the most part, the weather event is ess-
entially over. It will be over for good around noon today.

As of this morning, about 246,000 households are without electrical
power, and around 250 people sought refuge in shelters across the
island. There are some downed trees and other moderate wind damage
across Puerto Rico, especially in the south. Damage was minimal
around the San Juan area, where there is little traffic this morning.
Road PR-167 through Comerio is still shut down. It was closed yes-
terday as a preventive measure. Many flights out of San Juan's main
airport remain cancelled, but the airport is open. The 'Dry Law' and
price controls will expire at 10:00 AM today.

Tropical Storm Erika is now affecting the Dominican Republic
and is expected to head towards Florida next.

Tropical Storm Erika Coverage

Good morning, Puerto Rico. Keep checking this post throughout the
day and night today for information on Tropical Storm Erika, inclu-
ding closings, power outages, flooding, etc. If you have any infor-
mation you would like us to post, please leave it in the comments
section below or email us at embillpublishing@gmail.com. We al-
so encourage you to check our Twitter feed.

____________________________________________________________


9:25 PM: It seems like southern PR is still poised to take the
worst of Erika, after earlier forecasts had placed it closer to the
island's northeast, including Vieques and Culebra. Now it seems
like Ponce will take a direct hit from the storm's center (such
as it is). However, tropical storm force winds will be felt all 
across Puerto Rico until about noon tomorrow, and the rain will
then hang around for a little while after that. It is recommended
everyone stay inside until at least tomorrow evening and avoid
any unnecessary travel.

Strong winds have been felt already in the US Virgin Islands, and
the rain and wind are picking up in Vieques. The streets of the San
Juan metro area are eerily quiet as people hunker down in anticipa-
tion of worse weather.

Ferries between Fajardo & Vieques/Culebra will still be suspen-
ded tomorrow.


5:58 PM: We are now taking a break. We'll be back with updates
at around 9:00 PM ADT or sooner.

5:55 PM: Erika now expected to enter PR between Santa Isabel
and Ponce overnight, at abut 1 AM. San Juan will be very windy
around 11 PM. Storm will leave the local area at around 2 PM
tomorrow. 4-8 inches of rain forecast. Aír Europa, Jet Blue, Sea-
borne &  US Airways cancel flights. PR Government employees
will not be working tomorrow. No classes at public schools and 
courts will be closed. 

5:09 PM: A couple of items...Per US Coast Guard, all ports around
PR are closed. Also, there are no classes tomorrow at ANY of the
UPR campuses.

4:46 PM: 5 PM Nat'l Weather Svc advisory is out. Erika is finally
starting to take a turn towards the west/northwest, with a slight
slowing in forward speed to 15 mph. Max. sustained winds still
holding at 45 mph, barely tropical storm strength. Again, the real
danger with Erika will be the rain.

4:32 PM: Over 10,000 households reportedly without electrical
power already across the island.

4:28 PM: University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras has announced
that there will be no classes or administrative activities tomorrow.
It's probably safe to say this will apply to all UPR campuses, but
so far announcement only applies to Rio Piedras.

2:15 PM: Latest Erika satellite image:

1:43 PM: Now four are reported dead in Dominica due to Erika. Se-
veral people missing as well.

1:18 PM: Several public schools around Puerto Rico are being opened
to serve as shelters. Ernesto Ramos Antonini in Ponce is one of them.
Trying to obtain a list of more, will post here if we can find one. You
can call 3-1-1 or 787-723- 7707 for shelter information.

12:52 PM: Governor Padilla holds press conference, urges preparedness.
'Dry law' in effect from noon today to noon tomorrow, hotels/resorts
are exempt. Up to 12" of rain now expected to fall on the island due to
revised track.

12:42 PM: Government employees left work for the day within the last
hour. Lots of traffic around SJ metro area and beyond.

11:40 AM: Puerto Rico's consumer affairs agency, DACO, froze prices
for essential goods effective last night. This includes gas. Don't get
ripped off!

11:10 AM: From 11 AM advisory:

LOCATION...16.4N 63.3W
ABOUT 125 MI...205 KM W OF GUADELOUPE
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 270 DEGREES AT 16 MPH...26 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1006 MB...29.71 INCHES

10:50 AM: These airlines have cancelled flights: Cape Air, Trade-
wind & Seaborne.

10:35 AM: Looking rainy in Vieques...

                 

10:30 AM: Three people dead in the Caribbean island of Dominica
in the wake of Erika's passing.

9:23 AM: 'Dry Law' will go into effect at noon today. If you want
to buy liquor, you'd better do it before then.

9:18 AM: American Airlines and US Airways expected to shut down
operations at Luis Muñoz Marín Int'l Airport at 6:00 PM today. Flights
to Florida over the weekend could be affected as well, since the storm
is expected to head in that direction.

9:10 AM: Govenor Padilla has activated the National Guard. Catholic
University of Ponce is suspending classes at noon today.

____________________________________________________________

Closings And Postponements Due To Erika

This page will be updated as new information comes in. Below are closings
and postponements happening tomorrow due to the expected passage of
Tropical Storm Erika.

** Dozens of flights out of San Juan's LMM Airport have been cancelled
     or delayed. Contact your airline before leaving for the airport. ** 

* Puerto Rico government offices and public schools in eastern part
   of Puerto Rico will be closed tomorrow and open until noon in 
   the rest of the island.

* Vieques/Culebra ferries from Fajardo: last ferry will leave Fajardo at 4:00
   AM Thursday. Last ferries from Vieques and Culebra will leave at 10:00
   AM.  After that, ferries will not operate again until further notice.

* Arecibo Observatory: Closed tomorrow and Friday.

* Amnesty International's screening of “Citizens of Nowhere” postponed until
   further notice.

* San Jose and Puerto Nuevo Diagnostic & Treatment Centers will remain
   open tomorrow for as long as weather conditions allow.

* San Juan non-emergency city employees are being advised to not come to
   work on Thursday. City offices will therefore be closed.

* El Yunque National Forest will be closed tomorrow. It may reopen Friday
   depending on conditions.

* The Bacardi Distillery in Cataño will be closed tomorrow Thursday.

* Instituto de Banca y Comercio: night classes cancelled tomorrow. Friday's
   schedule depends on conditions.

* National University College: No NIGHT classes Thursday. Friday's schedule
   depends on conditions.

* University of Puerto Rico, ALL Campuses: No classes or administrative activities
   on Thursday.

* Universidad Central de Bayamón: No classes Thursday.

* All Catholic schools in the Diocese of  Fajardo-Humacao: No class Thursday

* Colegio Bautista de Caguas: No class Thursday.

* San Juan YMCA: Closed tomorrow Thursday.

* Ana G. Méndez University System (All Schools) - Closing at 3:00 PM on
   Thursday. UPDATE: Classes will end at noon on Thursday now.

* Oriental Bank: Branches in Ceiba, Humacao, Las Piedras & Yabucoa open
   tomorrow 8:30 AM -10:30 AM. Other branches open until 3:00 PM.

* Sagrado Corazon University will end classes at noon Thursday.

* Universidad Interamericana will end classes at noon Thursday.


__________________________________________________________________

Puerto Rico News Digest For August 26, 2015

ERIKA TO AFFECT PR TOMORROW

The effects of Tropical Storm Erika are expected to be felt starting to-
morrow at around noon, and the system should be passing about 10 mi-
les north of Fajardo tomorrow evening. The National Weather Service
has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Cule-
bra and the US Virgin Islands. As of 8:00 AM, the storm was located
at 16.2N 56.8W, about 335 miles east of Antigua, and had maximum
sustained winds of 45 mph. Erika is moving west at about 17 mph, and
registered a barometric pressure of 1005 mb. Some strengthening is still
expected to happen over the next several hours. The tropical storm is ex-
pected to produce 2-4 inches of rain over Puerto Rico.

2 PM UPDATE: Erika now not expected to strengthen significantly
over next couple of days. Winds not a concern for land, but rather po-
tential flooding. Per the latest advisory, winds are still 45 mph with
higher gusts, and the storm is still moving west at 17 mph. Latest
coordinates are 16.3N 58.2W. Hurricane Hunter aircraft is on its way
to investigate further.

Keep checking The Puerto Rico Monitor for updates on Erika.

CARRAIZO LEVEL UP, LA PLATA DOWN

The rains produced by the remnants of Tropical Storm Danny helped ra-
ise the level of  the Carraízo water reservoir by 30 centimeters this mor-
ning, with its level currently at  34.04 meters. According to Alberto Lá-
zaro, President of AAA, the island's water utility, Carraízo's level would
have to increase by 2 to 2 1/2 meters in order for the water rationing plan
to be reduced to two days without running water from the current three
day plan. Despite Carraízo's gains, the La Plata reservoir's level has dro-
pped to 34.67 meters, 3.67 meters away from being out of service.

GOV'T CONSIDERS PRIVATE ELECTRICITY

From The San Juan Daily Star:

The government plans to open up power generation to the private sector,
virtually ending the monopoly of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authori-
ty under the five-year fiscal adjustment plan. An outline of the plan, obtai-
ned by the STAR, states that the government will complete PREPA’s res-
tructuring of its $9 billion debt. The outline also says that PREPA will
“open up power generation to private competition to reduce electricity ra-
tes over time.” The private advisers to the change will be Alix Partners,
Millstein and Co., and Cleary and Gottlieb.

PREPA DROPS PETROBRAS AS FUEL SUPPLIER

From Caribbean Business:

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (Prepa) announced Tuesday it
has entered into new supply contracts for fuel oil and natural gas used in
its powerplants, tapping Freeport Commodities and Natural Gas Aprovisi-
onamientos, which are scheduled to begin deliveries Oct. 1.The power uti-
lity will buy fuel oil No. 6 from Freeport Commodities, while natural gas
used at its Costa Sur powerplant will be supplied by Natural Gas Aprovi-
sionamientos, saving Prepa about $55 million from its previous contracts,
and replacing Petrobas, its previous provider.

ORLANDO NO. 1 SPOT FOR PUERTO RICANS

From The Orlando Sentinel:

Central Florida was the top destination of Puerto Ricans moving to the
mainland two years ago, according to new U.S. Census Bureau figures
released Tuesday. More than 7,500 Puerto Ricans moved to the Orlando
area in 2013, and most of them -- about 6,200 -- came from San Juan, the
island's capital, according to the Census Bureau. The New York metro area
was the next most popular destination, and it was the more popular choice
for residents of  Puerto Rico's smaller cities.

Tropical Storm Erika Forms In Atlantic

5:45 PM UPDATE: Last location for Erika: 15.6N 52.8W, about 605
miles east of Antigua. Maximum sustained winds 40 mph. Erika is
moving west at 20 mph. Tropical storm watches/warnings remain
unchanged. Some slight strengthening is expected over the next
couple of days.

---

Tropical Storm Erika has formed in the Atlantic and is moving west at 

a brisk 20 mph. The storm's coordinates as of 8:00 AM AST today were 

14.8N 50.2W, with the storm's center located about 750 miles east of the 

Leeward Islands. Barometric pressure is at 1003 mb, with maximum sus-

tained winds of 45 mph, just above the treshold for tropical storm status. 

Most models place Erika passing just north of Puerto Rico between Thurs-

day night and Friday morning. Some strenghtening is expected over the 

next couple of days, with tropical storm winds extending about 80 miles 

from the center of the system at this moment. A slight decrease in forward 

speed is expected during the next two days.

Tropical Storm Watches are currently  in effect for Montserrat, Antigua, 

Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten. 

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible 

within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.