Loíza mayor demands emergency declaration for seafront community subject to erosion

Loíza Mayor Julio Nazario is demanding that the new central government administration declare the Parcelas Suárez community an emergency zone, as 12 families are in imminent danger due to severe coastal erosion in the area.

This past weekend, a tidal event generated waves reaching heights of up to 13 feet on the island’s northeastern coast, resulting in the closure and loss of roads, including PR-10. Nazario on Monday stressed that while part of the community benefits from a rock barrier built with the assistance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), there are still unprotected sections where two houses are critically at risk.

“The area that is not protected …” the mayor said. “It is clear that the sea has encroached, and this is a pressing concern. [Grid operator] LUMA [Energy] had to remove an electricity pole on Saturday around two in the afternoon. Engineer Josué Colón [the island’s energy czar] assessed the situation and approved the removal of that pole. However, no one is considering the urgent need to protect the remaining houses -- that’s my main focus.”