Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
Tugger wrote:One of my best friends parents live in Humacao, pretty much right where Maria made land fall. He has not had any news yet on how they for obvious reasons. I am sure I will find out pretty quickly after he does and while he isn't THAT worried, he knows it is the aftermath that is going to be the real issue. It's an island, workers that fix infrastructure things can't get there easily, and of course by know they are being worn out after going from Harvey to Irma. Now trying to get such skilled assistance to PR will be a big task.
I am hoping we/Congress steps up to the plate and helps with resources to get skilled support to and from the island as well as assisting with needed temporary services and support elements.
Tugg
einsteinboricua wrote:Power is down in the entire island. Cellphone service is spotty at best with a few companies; AT&T's is down for the count.
News reports are saying that SJU, along with all ports of entry, suffered significant damages. There's a curfew in place until Saturday at 0600 local. I'm hoping my parents ration their generator fuel.
dfwjim1 wrote:I was watching the channel 7 TV news here in Miami and the announcer said it would be months before Puerto Rico gets their power back. Just wondering if 7 is correct as this news station is known for being overly dramatic.
ltbewr wrote:I also suspect that many 1000's of residents of PR will either temporary or permanently move to the 'mainland' USA, accelerating a migration of over 500,000, mainly of young adults and children over the last several years due to fewer jobs and poorer economic conditions.
Ken777 wrote:AFAIK, military bodies (Navy and Army) are already working there. Volunteer squads are ready to head out there to help as well.Why can't we send in some Seabees (and the Army's equivalent) to get critical infrastructure up and running, These guys can work on dead main power lines with power company workers, dramatically cutting the repair time. Sent the heavy equipment (with fuel) that is needed for faster cleanup in all areas. Keep ships close for support and urgent medical care facilities.
Trump can deliver strong and rapid help for PR (and other islands) if he simply ask the DoD to work up rapid response plans and then approves them.
par13del wrote:The bigger question is how are they looking at this natural disaster, as as way to restart ala Chpt.11 or a way to push PR further into debt that they already cannot pay, bonds holders want their pound of flesh and the US Congress will not allow a reset.
Storms also rejuvenate the environment, in PR's case, they also need financial rejuvenation, this is the yes moment.
Pellegrine wrote:Force majeure.
ltbewr wrote:I think one other idea to consider in recovery of electricity service in PR is to bring in massive amounts of solar panels so can get some electricity up sooner in many areas.
einsteinboricua wrote:This newspaper is in Spanish (they do have an English site but I can't find the link for it). Here's a slideshow of the pictures. Click Full Screen to better appreciate them.
einsteinboricua wrote:Pellegrine wrote:Force majeure.
It would be interesting if the Fiscal Board and/or Congress allow this as a reason to essentially "forgive" debt. It would be inhumane to expect the island to keep enduring austerity measures at a time that austerity will make the island resemble the poorest of 3rd world nations.
Pellegrine wrote:I don't know anything about the Fiscal Board of PR or Congress relating to this
einsteinboricua wrote:Pellegrine wrote:I don't know anything about the Fiscal Board of PR or Congress relating to this
That's how Congress and the Fiscal Board relate to this.
All or part of three towns in the northwestern part of the island — Isabela, San Sebastián and Quebradillas — were being evacuated Friday
because of fears about structural damage to the nearby Guajataca Dam. Close to 70,000 people could be affected if the 90-year-old dam, which
is 120-feet high and can hold about 11 billion gallons of water, collapsed, said Puerto Rico’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló.
Thunderboltdrgn wrote:More about Puert Rico: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/22/us/h ... power.html
There is also a risk that a dam could collapse:All or part of three towns in the northwestern part of the island — Isabela, San Sebastián and Quebradillas — were being evacuated Friday
because of fears about structural damage to the nearby Guajataca Dam. Close to 70,000 people could be affected if the 90-year-old dam, which
is 120-feet high and can hold about 11 billion gallons of water, collapsed, said Puerto Rico’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló.