Hurricane Ernesto wreaks havoc on Puerto Rico, disrupts flights and cruises: What you need to know to make travel plans?

Puerto Rico is reeling from a heavy blow by the storm Ernesto as the system dumps heavy rain and brings strong winds that are wreaking havoc on the island's notoriously frail power grid.

Edilberto Junito Romero, mayor of Culebra Island, east of Puerto Rico, told the press about heavy rains in a phone interview.

The first day of the new school year on Puerto Rico was delayed until further notice.

Also be sure to know what to do if you are caught in a rip current.

The most recent death was July 14 in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina.

A federal emergency declaration was approved by President Joe Biden, paving the way for FEMA aid and assistance.

The island covers an area of about 3,400 square miles and sits about 1,000 miles southeast of Miami.

According to the National Weather Service, up to an additional 6 inches of rain is possible in Puerto Rico, where some areas have already received up to 10 inches.

This heavy rain caused by Ernesto over mountainous terrain could trigger dangerous, destructive, life threatening flooding and landslides.

Ernesto was upgraded to a hurricane at 11 a.m. EDT. The storm was located 175 miles northwest of San Juan with sustained winds of 75 mph.

Hundreds Of Thousands Without Power

More than 725,000 homes and businesses in Puerto Rico were without power as of about 1:30 p.m. EDT, according to the island's electric company.

For a second day in a row, hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed at airports across the region, according to online tracker.

The hardest hit airports as of about 11:30 a.m. EDT:

San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, the largest in Puerto Rico, with 163 flights impacted.

Cyril E. King Airport in the U.S. Virgin Islands, 58 flights canceled or delayed. The airport was closed but scheduled to reopen at noon local time.

Princess Juliana Airport, St. Maarten, 64% of all departures and more than half of arrivals canceled or delayed.

The Virgin Islands Port Authority said all ports were closed by the U.S. Coast Guard and cruise ship port calls to St. Thomas and St. Croix were canceled through Thursday.

Local ferry service was also affected.

On average, the third hurricane of the year arrives around Sept. 7, based on numbers from 1991 to 2020.

Our meteorologists predict this year could be one of the most active hurricane seasons on record.

The outages weren't unexpected.

On average, the third hurricane of the year arrives around Sept. 7, based on numbers from 1991 to 2020.

Our meteorologists predict this year could be one of the most active hurricane seasons on record.