Puerto Rico battles blackout and lack of safe water in wake of Hurricane Fiona

Most of Puerto Rico was still without power or safe drinking water on Monday, with remnants of a category 1 hurricane that struck there a day earlier forecast to bring more heavy rain and life-threatening flooding.

Hundreds of people are trapped in emergency shelters across the Caribbean island, with major roads underwater and reports of numerous collapsed bridges. Crops have been washed away while flash floods, landslides and fallen trees have blocked roads, swept away vehicles and caused widespread damage to infrastructure.

Electricity had been restored to only 10% or so of customers by Monday morning as anger grew towards Luma, the private US-Canadian consortium that took over transmission and distribution in June 2021.

A full assessment of the damage to the power lines will not take place until the rain and winds subside, but residents are bracing themselves for several days without electricity.

About 3,000 people died in the aftermath as homes, businesses and healthcare facilities were left without power for months.

Storms get more intense more quickly as a result of higher atmospheric and ocean temperatures, making it harder for communities to prepare and adapt.

Fiona, which was upgraded from a tropical storm to category 1 hurricane on Sunday morning, is the first major hurricane of the 2022 season. The Joe Biden White House has declared a federal emergency for Puerto Rico, mobilising aid and resources to the island which is officially bankrupt.

Heavy rain and high winds then began damaging the Dominican Republic, and Fiona is expected to strengthen as it moves towards the Turks and Caicos Islands and Bermuda.

The eye of Fiona made landfall in the Dominican Republic near Boca Yuma about 3.30am local time, according to forecasters. It became the first hurricane to directly hit the country since Jeanne left severe damage in the east of the republic in September 2018.

The Dominican Republic shares the Caribbean island of Hispanola with Haiti.In its eastern part, Fiona brought down trees, power lines and advertisements in the towns of Punta Cana, La Romana and El Seibo during the early hours of Monday. Relief groups said there were no immediate reports of injuries.