Elected officials, community doing their part to help Puerto Rico

Following a series of earthquakes and tremors in Puerto Rico, elected officials and citizens are doing their part to help people on the island.

News 12 Staff

Jan 14, 2020, 10:13 PM

Updated 1,751 days ago

Share:

Following a series of earthquakes and tremors in Puerto Rico, elected officials and citizens are doing their part to help people on the island.
Puerto Rico has seen the devastation of Hurricane Maria, and now multiple earthquakes, including two of magnitude 5.9 and greater. This has left residents without power and fearing for their safety.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo led a New York contingent to Puerto Rico on Tuesday. The group included Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo.
The governor announced that he is deploying 115 National Guard units. He is also providing hundreds of blankets, pillows, and emergency preparedness kits to those on the island and who are still fearful of aftershocks.
In a video posted by BP Diaz Jr., Gov. Cuomo and other officials toured a power plant on Costa Sur. Viewers can see structural damage to the plant that has been completely turned off due to the earthquakes.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that he is sending 24 additional personnel, including engineers, building inspectors, and mental health professionals.
Many residents in Puerto Rico have been sleeping outdoors due to fears that their homes will collapse.
Rep. Nydia Velasquez and Sen. Chuck Schumer asked for a meeting with the office of Housing and Urban Development. They are seeking the use of previously approved disaster relief funds.
"There is no legitimate rationale for these critical funds to continue to be withheld and we will demand that Secretary Carson immediately move to release the aid that will help hundreds of thousands of Americans," said Schumer.
There are many places across the city to donate items for Puerto Rico, with flashlights, batteries, first-aid kits, and hand sanitizers among the most needed items.