SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A failing dam prompted emergency evacuations of two towns in northwest Puerto Rico on Friday as the U.S. territory struggled with flooding, an island-wide power blackout and other dangers in Hurricane Maria’s wake. All across the battered island, residents feared power could be out for weeks — or even months — and wondered how they would cope. The death toll in Puerto Rico stood at six but was likely to rise. In Puerto Rico, the electric grid was in sorry shape long before Maria — and Hurricane Irma two weeks ago — struck. “We’re used to the lights going out because of storms here in Puerto Rico, but this time, we’re worried,” he said.

Source: National Post September 22, 2017 08:05 UTC