President Joe Biden has issued an emergency disaster declaration for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona devastated the island on Sunday. This allows FEMA to step in with emergency response resources. The hurricane has left nearly 1.5 million power customers in Puerto Rico without electricity. Per NBC News, about 100,000 customers have had their electricity restored as of Monday afternoon, according to Luma Energy, the company in charge of power transmission and distribution in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico’s Governor Pedro Pierluisi said in a news conference the island does not need humanitarian aid yet. He said, “We do need help with first responders.” He added that New York Governor Kathy Hochul has already vowed to send 100 first responders to Puerto Rico.
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Governor Pierluisi explained that Puerto Rico has four warehouses with enough food and water to last during the emergency response phase. He emphasized humanitarian aid may be needed once the island enters its recovery stage. Unfortunately, there have been a few deaths in the wake of the storm. Reports state on Monday afternoon; a 58-year-old man was found dead after being dragged by currents from the river La Plata in the town of Comerío.
In addition, two others who died in shelters during the hurricane are believed to have passed away from natural causes. Currently, officials are waiting for the Institute of Forensic Sciences to confirm if that’s the case. Puerto Rico isn’t the only island suffering from storms. Weather reports show the Dominican Republic has a hurricane warning from Cabo Caucedo to Cabo Frances Viejo. Turks and Caicos and the southeastern Bahamas are also being affected.
#Fiona
Scenes from Hurrican Fiona as it hits Puerto Rico. 👀#USA pic.twitter.com/8Q82JjKqN0— Of Sound Mind (@soundnessmind) September 19, 2022
Our thoughts are with those affected by the hurricane!
