Hurricane Fiona flooded Puerto Rico with 6 to more than 25 inches of rain in some areas earlier this week, with parts of the island without electricity or running water and under the threat of additional flooding and mudslides days later.
RELATED: Puerto Rico in state of emergency as Hurricane Fiona makes landfall https://bit.ly/3UuTWA0
President Joe Biden approved Gov. Pedro Pierluisi’s request for a major disaster declaration on Wednesday, opening up more federal assistance. Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced it will send hundreds of personnel to aid local response efforts, while the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency.
Puerto Rico experienced widespread landslides, damaged homes, washed-out bridges and downed power lines as torrential rains and flooding engulfed the island. Power company officials initially said it would take a few days for electricity to be fully restored, but then appeared to backtrack late Tuesday night. Only 26% had power as of Wednesday morning, three days after it hit the island.
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