U.S. Hurricane Warning Reveals Gaps in Preparedness as Erin Threatens Puerto Rico

As Tropical Storm Erin strengthens toward hurricane status, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings about potentially devastating floods and landslides in Puerto Rico and nearby islands. While these alerts are necessary, they also underscore a pressing question: How prepared is the United States to protect its territories and citizens from increasingly frequent natural disasters? Why Are We Still Vulnerable When Storms Loom? The NHC stated that heavy rains could cause sudden flooding and mudslides across parts of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the northern Leeward Islands starting this weekend. Yet, despite repeated seasonal threats, infrastructure weaknesses...