Tropical Storm Jeanne, nearing hurricane strength, slammed into Puerto Rico on Wednesday as rivers rose, roads flowed with torrents of water and frantic residents evacuated low-lying areas. Lashing rains and wind blew plants off terraces and felled trees as the storm's eye made landfall on the southeastern tip of the island Wednesday afternoon. "The biggest concern for Puerto Rico is flashflooding and mudslides," said Hector Guerrero, a meteorologist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Streets in the tourist hub of colonial Old San Juan were deserted and most flights had been canceled. The largest mall in the Caribbean -- Plaza las Americas -- was also shut and Gov. Sila Calderon prohibited alcohol sales for the day to keep citizens alert. The storm's projected path had it potentially reaching hurricane-weary Florida, Georgia and South Carolina either Sunday or Monday. Jeanne is on track toward the island of Hispaniola where floods in May killed more than 3,000, and the Bahamas -- a chain of more than 700 islands that was battered recently by Hurricane Frances.
Chris Hennon, a meteorologist with the National Hurricane Center in Miami, said Jeanne will probably become a hurricane Wednesday. All Puerto Rican ports were closed. Gov. Sila Calderon banned alcohol sales in hopes of keeping citizens alert and urged people to stay indoors. The largest mall in the Caribbean -- Plaza las Americas -- also was shut. Streets in the tourist hub of colonial Old San Juan were deserted and most flights had been canceled. Calderon said Jeanne had cut water service to some 30,000 people in the northeast and knocked out electricity in about 1,000 homes just outside San Juan. Nearly 800 people had evacuated and were staying in shelters throughout Puerto Rico. |