News

Ways to help relief efforts for hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico

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Puerto Rico governor warns of humanitarian crisis after Maria

Gerald Herbert/AP

September 26, 2017, 9:30 PM

 -- Puerto Rico is virtually without power or cell service after Hurricane Maria barreled through the island, leaving those searching for loved ones in a shroud of uncertainty.

Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said the island is facing an "unprecedented disaster" after the storm made landfall as a powerful Category 4 hurricane last week.

Hurricane Maria pummels Puerto Rico, Caribbean

A category 5 hurricane ravages the islands of Dominica, Puerto Rico, St. Croix and other Caribbean Islands.

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A car drives on a damaged road in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Oct. 2, 2017.

Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images

While about 5 percent of electricity had been restored across the island by Monday night, generators remain the only source of power for more than 3 million American citizens.

The storm killed at least 16 and left the island littered with rubble from demolished homes and downed trees and power lines.

How to help relief efforts

Donate supplies: Puerto Rico's government created a presentation on the emergency and construction supplies needed to help those in need. It is also urging people to use social media to encourage people to donate to the relief fund. Puerto Rico's first lady, Beatriz Rosselló, has also set up a relief fund called United for Puerto Rico, which connects those in need to the private sector.

Volunteer: Volunteer or contribute to the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, or the Salvation Army, which are accepting relief funds for areas affected by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

PHOTO: A resident surveys the damage on her property after Hurricane Maria made landfall, Sept. 21, 2017, in the Guaynabo suburb of San Juan, Puerto Rico. — A resident surveys the damage on her property after Hurricane Maria made landfall, Sept. 21, 2017, in the Guaynabo suburb of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The majority of the island has lost power, in San Juan many are left without running water or cell phone service, and the Governor said Maria is the "most devastating storm to hit the island this century."
Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images

The five living U.S. presidents have expanded their fund, the One America Appeal, to include relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Save the Children's fund will focus on the needs of families and their children.

Donate to GlobalGiving, a crowdfunding site that connects donors to nonprofits all over the world.

Americares says that for every $10 donated, it can provide $200 in aid.

How to help in your area:

New York: The Hispanic Federation teamed up with prominent New Yorkers to launch "Unidos": A Hurricane Relief Fund for Hurricane Maria Victims in Puerto Rico, which will be managed by the nonprofit. The relief fund will also support people in the Dominican Republic who were impacted.

Miami: The Puerto Rican Leadership Council is accepting donations of clothing, water and nonperishable food at several locations, according to the Miami Herald.

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How to try to reach loved ones in Puerto Rico

Email Puerto Rico's disaster relief team at maria1@prfaa.pr.gov. Because of high volume, officials are asking that people only send one email and no follow-ups. Include as much information about the people you are concerned about and your contact information.

Call the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration's Washington, D.C., office at 202-800-3133 or 202-800-3134. Staffers are taking names and numbers to develop plans on conducting welfare checks.

Call local Puerto Rico radio station WIPR at 787-777-0940.

Use the Red Cross' Safe and Well database, where survivors can mark themselves as safe and family members can search through the list of registrants.

Hurricane Maria knocked out the entire grid across the Puerto Rico.
Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times/Polaris

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