SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The Puerto Rico National Guard was activated statewide Monday due to the impending passage of Tropical Storm Karen and is prepared to support the government of Puerto Rico, the PR Emergency Management and Disasters Administration and other security and relief agencies.
"The Puerto Rico National Guard is prepared to comply with the activation of the governor in support of security and emergency agencies," said Maj. Gen. José J. Reyes, the adjutant general of Puerto Rico. "We have personnel working in the Joint Operations Center of the PRNG and in the Emergency Operations Center together with Emergency Management personnel from where all the logistics of the emergency management will be performed, as well as the monitoring of the trajectory of the storm and the identification of the areas most affected by the system."
Engineering and transportation teams are deployed in strategic locations. Members of the PRNG are ready to support the Puerto Rico Police and the Department of Transportation (PREMA) during the emergency.
"I ask citizens to take proper precautions while working on the preparations or final details of the protection of their homes," said Reyes. "Also, I advise those who live in possible flood zones not to wait up to the last minute to move to the nearest shelters, since the atmospheric system could bring a lot of rain that could cause flooding and overflowing of rivers. It is better to be safe than sorry."
Residents are encouraged to stay informed and heed any recommendations by the PR Emergency Management and Disasters Administration and the National Meteorological Service.