Prepa works on wide power outage

Initial reports from the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority point to a power surge that prompted the utility to shut down key lines as a protective measure. Service was being restored quickly, with more than 80 percent coverage by 2:30 p.m.

The head of the main union at Prepa, however, said a mix of Sahara dust and rain could have brought the system down. He said as much as 75 percent of the island was without service at one point.