Puerto Rico Morning Brief Monday, October 12, 2026

The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) opened a gate at the Carraízo reservoir for the second time in four days to prevent a possible overflow. On Sunday morning, October 11, the water level was 40.96 meters. Recent rainfall has brought the reservoir to a safe level, although the area remains under moderate drought conditions.

The tanker Amur River’s entry into San Juan Bay, set for Sunday, October 11, was postponed to Monday, October 12, because of administrative delays and sea conditions, New Fortress Energy (NFE) said. NFE said entry options for Sunday morning and afternoon had been arranged, but authorization from U.S. Customs and Border Protection was still pending. NFE requested entry for Monday between 6:00 and 10:00 AM, and the harbor pilots set 11:30 AM as the projected entry time.

The Financial Oversight and Management Board asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to state whether it is legal for 22 Puerto Rico towns to charge higher municipal taxes to contractors who receive government funds. The six-page letter, signed by Board Executive Director Robert F. Mujica, acknowledges that municipalities may levy taxes and that the practice exists elsewhere in the United States. The Board says it knows of no other jurisdiction that imposes different tax rates on contractors depending on whether their projects have federal funds assigned.

The administration of Gov. Jenniffer González Colón highlighted a series of initiatives during the week, led by $114.4 million for rehabilitating state roads in 42 towns. The money flows through agreements between the Transportation and Public Works Department and municipal governments. Projects include PR-111 in Utuado, the Ruta Panorámica, PR-2 in Arecibo and PR-3 in Humacao. Executive Order 2026-053 created the Puerto Rico Earthquake Preparedness Committee ahead of the Great ShakeOut on October 15 at 10:15 AM.

Puerto Rico has more than twice as many adults 65 and older as children under 15. Some 26% of residents, or 828,673 people, are 65 or older, which is 92,000 more than in 2020. World Bank data put Puerto Rico third in the world behind Japan (30%) and Monaco (36%). The Statistics Institute’s Aging Index, which compares both groups, rose from 168 seniors per 100 children in 2020 to 237 in 2025, a 41% increase.

On a typical morning this week, about 4,390 LUMA customers, roughly 0.3% of the company’s 1.47 million, were without service at 6:00 AM. That is the middle reading of seven mornings, October 5 through 11.

The Great ShakeOut is set for October 15 at 10:15 AM.