Tropical Storm Isaias Damages Hot-Air Balloon Attraction at Jayuya
The strong winds and heavy rains of Tropical Storm Isaias that lashed the island of Puerto Rico on Thursday, July 30, destroyed a landmark hot-air balloon attraction in Jayuya, the mayor of the municipality said on Facebook.
The National Weather Service in San Juan said the storm packed sustained winds of up to 60 mph and produced “life-threatening flash flooding and gusty winds over Puerto Rico.”
The Autoridad de Energia Electrica (AEE) said on Thursday that 46 percent of the island’s 1.47 million residents were without power.
The storm resulted in the destruction of the popular Globo de Jayuya hot-air balloon, reports said.
This video shows the mayor of Jayuya, Georgie González, assessing the damage on Thursday. In a Facebook live stream, the mayor asked residents to remain inside.
González said the loss of the Globo de Jayuya was “significant,” and that the landmark “represented our people.” He told local media that he cried after seeing that the balloon was no longer raised but is hopeful for recovery. Credit: Georgie González via Storyful
