Watch: Hurricane Fiona's 'life-threatening' floodwaters destroy a bridge in Puerto Rico
A bridge in Puerto Rico built to link a mountain community to civilization after first being destroyed by Hurricane Maria is again destroyed by Hurricane Fiona.
Watch: Fiona flood waters wash a bridge downstream
Watch the incredible last moments a bridge in Utuado, Puerto Rico. Fiona's floodwaters tore the bridge from the road and washed it downstream. Video courtesy of Carlos Ruiz Class
UTUADO, Puerto Rico – Residents and first responders could only watch helplessly as floodwaters overtook the town's bridge and washed it downstream. Hurricane Fiona whipped the area with 85 mph winds gusting into the 100s and rainfall between 2 and almost 6 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Some areas saw almost 3 feet of rain locally.
Puerto Rico is expected to receive several inches of rain through Tuesday, raising concerns about flooding and mudslides. Southern Puerto Rico could see 12-18 inches of rain, with some areas receiving as much as 30 inches of rain.
"These rainfall amounts will produce catastrophic, life-threatening flash floods and urban flooding," tweeted the NHC.
The National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, reported that more than 20 inches of rain had fallen by Monday morning in southeastern parts of the island Officials cautioned that rain is still falling and amounts could be even higher by the time Fiona moves away.
Watch the video above as the river rises over the roadway and pulls on the bridge. Then listen to the protesting groans of the metal trying desperately to grip the foundation before being torn free by the force.
Almost in slow motion, the bridge is overcome by the rushing waters and heads downstream. The power pulls at the guardrail which lets go of the ground supports one by one. As it follows the bridge, the metal takes out street signs. The rail hits the power pole which shudders in response but stays standing.
At the end of the video, it is difficult to tell if the sound from the astonished onlookers is laughing or crying.
The island of Puerto Rico will get 12-18 inches of rain from Fiona with some areas seeing up to 30 inches.
Bridge was a replacement for one destroyed by Hurricane Maria
They are no strangers to this scene though. Hurricane Maria's floodwaters in 2017 destroyed the original bridge and cut off the mountainous area from civilization, Congressman Roberto Lefranc Fortuno of Puerto Rico told FOX Weather
PUERTO RICO CONTINUES ITS SLOW RECOVERY, FIVE YEARS AFTER HURRICANE MARIA
Isolated Puerto Rico community hopes for new bridge
Congressman Roberto Lefranc Fortuno of Puerto Rico shows another view of the bridge washing away and explains why it was temporary.
"In 2018, this temporary bridge was installed while the planning and development of the new, tougher bridge was underway," said Fortuno. "We hope to get a recovery of this bridge, maybe a temporary one while we continue planning in the next several months."
Regional authorities didn't reach Utuado for 10 days and federal aid took 42 days to arrive, according to PreventionWeb.net, an agency managed by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security delivered food and water to the people of Utuado in 2017 after Hurricane Maria destroyed their bridge.
(U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Joshua DeMotts / FOX Weather)
Maria struck on September 20th and the photo above shows the U.S. Department of Homeland Security delivering food and water to the isolated neighborhoods in mid-October.