Hurricane Maria Causes Mass Destruction in Puerto Rico
October 2, 2017
On Wednesday, September 20, Hurricane Maria struck the island of Puerto Rico and left behind total devastation.
3.4 million people on the island were affected by this disaster. According to CNN, ten days after Maria passed, the island is still without power, with the exception of generators, and about half do still not have access to running water. Because fuel is extremely limited, most generators on the island are lying unused.
“Puerto Ricans are waiting hours in line to get gas, food and cash.” said Nicole Chavez and Holly Yan of CNN. “Gas stations and supermarkets are rationing supplies, while banks are running low on cash.”
Keep in mind, these 3.4 million people living without these basic necessities are US citizens, entitled to an equal relief effort from our federal government as any US state during such a crippling disaster.
Of course, helping Puerto Rico has been made more difficult by the fact that it is an island. To help deal with this obstacle, the Jones Act, a piece of legislation which requires all goods delivered to the ports of Puerto Rico to be delivered by American ships, was suspended by the White House on September 28, just over a week after Maria hit the island according to CNN.
Before Maria, the edge of Hurricane Irma passed by Puerto Rico on September 7th. According to Vox news, this left 1 million people without power on the island. When Maria hit 12 days later, 60,000 people were still out of electricity, meaning that many citizens have been without power for three weeks.
President Donald Trump has not addressed Puerto Rico in a speech, but has mentioned the crisis in interactions with the press, as well as, unsurprisingly, his Twitter.
“FEMA & First Responders are doing a GREAT job in Puerto Rico.” Tweeted Trump. “Massive food & water delivered. Docks & electric grid dead… Military is now on site and I will be there Tuesday. Wish press would treat fairly!”
On October 9-13, during Spanish week, the Bishop Blanchet Spanish Club will be collecting donations to help with relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
