 The outer rainbands of Erika passed over Puerto Rico , producing maximum sustained winds of 23 mph ( 37 km / h ) and a peak wind gust of 42 mph ( 68 km / h ) at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport . The wind gusts snapped tree branches into power lines , leaving up to 12 @,@ 000 people without power in San Juan , Guaynabo and Bayamón . Rainfall was light on the island , with Caguas reporting a peak total of 0 @.@ 77 inches ( 20 mm ) . The hurricane produced swells of 10 to 12 ft ( 3 to 3 @.@ 7 m ) on the northern coast of Puerto Rico , causing beach erosion or coastal flooding . One road was closed when sections of it were flooded or washed out . The strong waves forced the evacuation of eight families in the northern portion of the island . The strong waves killed two surfers in the northeastern waters of the island . Damage in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands totaled to $ 10 million ( 1997 USD , $ 12 @.@ 6 million 2006 USD ) in a preliminary estimate . 
