Nor'easter Causing Dangerous Waves, Damage in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is once again dealing with an emergency as waves caused by the nor’easter winter storm in the United States hit the island Monday, with some reaching nearly 30 feet high.

According to The Associated Press, authorities in Puerto Rico called for the closure of roadways and evacuated dozens of families as the storm generated waves larger than those brought when Hurricane Maria hit in September 2017.

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The massive waves knocked down palm trees, flooded hotels in low-lying areas, closed beaches and shut down around two dozen schools. The effects of the storm also destroyed several docks and a government ship terminal that hosted ferry service between Catano and Old San Juan.

With waves hitting the northern and western coasts of the Caribbean island, meteorologist Gabriel Lojero of the National Weather Service in San Juan told The AP the swell is the largest to hit Puerto Rico in more than a decade.

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In addition, meteorologists revealed the waves caused by the nor’easter are also impacting the U.S. Virgin Islands and other Caribbean islands but to a lesser extent. The effects are expected to last through Wednesday.

The latest storm-related emergency comes as Puerto Rico continues to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Maria. In total, government estimates report last year’s storm caused up to $94 billion in damage.