storm-philippe-causes-total-blackout-on-the-puerto-rican-island-of-culebraStorm Philippe causes total blackout on the Puerto Rican island of Culebra
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By EFE

05 Oct 2023, 08:05 AM EDT

SAN JUAN – The thunderstorms, winds and rains associated with Tropical Storm Philippe caused a total interruption of electrical service on the Puerto Rican island of Culebra on Wednesday.

According to the company LUMA Energy, in charge of electrical transmission in Puerto Rico, the interruption of service was due to “bad weather in the area.”

At the moment, the exact cause of the blackout is unknown, but the main distribution line and problems in the transformers are being considered, as well as a lightning strike causing a fire in the electrical substation.

“We are in communication with the municipality of Culebra and we will continue working to restore service as quickly and safely as possible,” LUMA said in a statement.

From the Municipality of Culebra, Mayor Edilberto Romero Llovet urged the entire community to “stay in their homes while weather conditions improve.”

“The Puerto Rico Police, the Fire Department and Emergency Management continue to work on the different situations in the town area,” indicated the Municipality’s Facebook account without giving more details.

The National Meteorological Service in San Juan warned in the last few hours of strong thunderstorms and flooding in Culebra due to the passage of Philippe.

Earlier in the day, the Puerto Rico Transportation Authority suspended its maritime transportation service between the eastern city of Ceiba and Culebra due to “dangerous weather conditions.”

Philippe, which maintains maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour (75 km/h), has also dumped heavy rain on the British Virgin Islands this day and is moving towards Bermuda, according to the latest bulletin from the US National Hurricane Center. USA

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