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PUERTO RICO BEFORE AND AFTER MARIA

On September 20th, Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm with 150 mph winds made direct landfall on Puerto Rico. This is a disaster of historic proportions. It is the first time a modern state has been hit head on by a category 4 storm.  The situation is even more perilous because Puerto Rico is an island, making the delivery of aid very difficult.

There is still no power on 95% of the island, with exception of generators, which are dependent on a very scarce supply of fuel.

This is a direct threat to human life.  No refrigeration for food, no power to pump fresh water, no telephone service.   There are reports it will take months, not days to restore service.  Ten of thousands of people will die without aid.  This is a fact, not a theory.

Puerto Ricans are US citizens. They are entitled to the same level of disaster response that anyone in New York, Texas or Florida would receive. If Puerto Rico were a state, it would be the 30th most populated — with more people than Wyoming, Vermont, and Alaska combined.

What is needed is a massive US government effort.  We are not going to second guess what has happened so far.  What will we say is that a lot more needs to happen and soon.  

A WARNING TO THE WORLD: This disaster and the response to it is important because it will serve as a model for preparedness in disasters to come. For example, what to do if a category 4 storm were to hit Bangladesh. There needs to be an across the board effort to improve preparedness (such as building massive flood gates for New York Harbor). The world needs to take global warming seriously. The United States should get back into the Paris Climate Agreement. As temperatures rise, super storms will become more frequent around the world. The world needs to be ready.   (SEE MAPS BELOW)

What can you do for Puerto Rico?  Below we list some charities chosen by PBS.   However, it is vital to understand that this is a crisis that is way beyond the capacity of private charities.  You need to call your elected representatives and demand a maximum US government effort.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Find Your Congressional Representative    Write or Call the President

Sign the Petition - Stand with Puerto Rico  (Move On)

Find a Charity and Donate (PBS)

We don't recommend any particular charities, but PBS suggests these. You decide what to do. We are not a charity screening service.

NEWS

Carmen Yulín Cruz, the mayor of Puerto Rico's capital San Juan, reacts to the DHS chief calling Puerto Rico a 'good news story' (Axios, 9-29-17)

What every American needs to know about Puerto Rico’s hurricane disaster (Vox, 9-28-17)

Puerto Rico's looming medical crisis is 'about to explode' (CNN, 9-28-17)

Half of Hurricane-Ravaged Puerto Rico Faces Lack of Drinking Water (NBC, 9-28-17)

Hurricane Maria pushes Puerto Rico's struggling hospitals to crisis point (The Guardian, 9-27-17)

Puerto Ricans still waiting for aid a week after Maria's devastation (CNN, 9-27-17)

Aid lags in hurricane-torn Puerto Rico (ABC News, 9-27-17)

'Apocalyptic' devastation in Puerto Rico, and little help in sight (CNN, 9-26-17)

TODAY PUERTO RICO.... TOMORROW COMING TO YOU?

MAP OF GLOBAL SUPER STORM ACTIVITY

RISING TEMPERATURES ARE FUELING MORE STORMS