Today, Sunday, US President Joe Biden agreed to declare a "state of emergency" on the American island of Puerto Rico, with Hurricane "Fiona" continuing to approach it;

Threatening to hit the region with sudden floods and life-threatening mudslides, and heavy rains caused a complete power outage on the island.

The emergency declaration allows for federal funds to be earmarked for rescue operations coordinated by the US Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The island's governor, Pedro Pierluisi, urged residents to take shelter in safe places.

During a press conference this morning, he called on residents not to leave their homes and go to shelters if necessary, especially if they are in areas at risk of landslides and floods.

He added that this storm - given its magnitude - will affect the whole of Puerto Rico.

The flood warning is expected to remain in effect until Monday.

Severe flooding in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 right now as Hurricane Fiona moves in.

Over 2 feet of rain expected.

🎥 Via @GDELISCARpic.twitter.com/TfB7L29yxX

— Scott Duncan (@ScottDuncanWX) September 18, 2022

Category 1 hurricane

The US National Hurricane Center said that the storm is located about 80 kilometers south of the city of Ponce, and that the maximum wind speed carrying it is approaching 130 kilometers per hour, which makes it the strength of a category one hurricane.

For its part, the US Meteorological Department expected that Hurricane Fiona would increase in strength within 48 hours, as it moved near Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

The Puerto Rican government said heavy rain and strong winds had cut off the power grid in the entire island of 3.3 million people.

Ports were also closed and flights canceled from the main international airport, with Hurricane Fiona preparing to move near or toward Puerto Rico later on Sunday.

Breaking News: Hurricane Fiona knocked out power to all of Puerto Rico on Sunday, its governor said, as forecasters warned that the storm could bring as much as two feet of rain and cause life-threatening floods and landslides.

https://t.co/odXfmdtke0

— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 18, 2022

Heavy rain and mudslides are also expected to hit the Dominican Republic as the storm advances northwest.

Residents said that the rain has increased in intensity since Sunday morning, in addition to strong winds.

According to the National Hurricane Center, large parts of Puerto Rico are expected to see 30 to 40 centimeters of rain, with up to 63.5 centimeters in places.

Puerto Rico (the former Spanish colony that became an American territory at the end of the 19th century) witnessed Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, which caused havoc that took the island a long time to recover from.

US President Donald Trump faced severe criticism when photos spread of him throwing tissues at survivors during his visit to the island, and some accused the billionaire of treating them as second-class citizens.

Trump later said the hurricane's toll was inflated by Democrats to make it "look as bad as possible."

After years of financial troubles and downturns, the island announced in 2017 the largest bankruptcy by the local administration.