Puerto Rico Underwater: How YOU Can Make a Difference
October 2, 2022
After Hurricane Fiona, Puerto Ricans have spent weeks swimming around old San Juan after being under 10-20 inches of rain on the island. For reference, that’s the same height as 10 soda cans on top of each other. Yeah, that’s a lot
Large and very populated communities are underwater, bridges and roads are destroyed, and many residents’ homes are unlivable. Experts indicate a very long road ahead as residents attempt to recover.
Southern Puerto Rico was hit with 12 to 20 inches. Some areas received a maximum of nearly three feet of rain during the storm. Residents in Northern Puerto Rico saw four to 12 inches of rainfall, with some areas getting a maximum of 20 inches, dealing with significant flooding.
Much of Puerto Rico’s infrastructure, particularly the island’s power grid, still faces hurdles exacerbated by Hurricane Maria in 2017. It took weeks or even months to restore power to some areas. For example, one Puerto Rican journalist told NPR he lived without power for a year, And it remained unreliable years later.
The devastation comes just five years after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017, leaving 80 percent of the island’s electrical system damaged for months.Government data showed that more than 358,000 customers (about 27%) were still without water service.
With organizations like Billboard, FEMA, Redcross, IRS, and even the US governemt helping Puerto Rico, citizens and natives have encouraged people to do all they can to help. People like Romeo Santos, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, and many other celebrities have said hopeful words, made generous donations, or offered prayers. The King of Bachata himself donated $100,000 for Puerto Rico hurricane relief. Alongside many artists, producers, and executives, Romeo Santos partnered with the Red Cross to raise funds for Puerto Rico.
Even though we may not all be Romeo Santos, anything helps. With a population of over 12,000 Puerto Ricans in Miami, people may have lost loved ones or childhood homes meaning action must be taken. Take the time to read articles, research how to help, or do something as simple as send a prayer for those affected .
Here are links that can be used to donate.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ciq7t-BsgI0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-fiona-relief-fund/
https://www.hispanicfederation.org/fionahelp/
