Regine Webster, who writes the blog for the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, recently interviewed the Diva about her approach to blogging at RecoveryDiva.com. I think she did a great job capturing my comments; see for yourself at the direct URL provided above.
Once in a while there is a positive story about recovery after a major natural disaster. See this one re Jersey Shore Rebuilding After H. Sandy.
An important factor here is the economic conditions prior to the disaster, however.
From the WashPost this morning: Trump threatens to abandon Puerto Rico recovery efforts. President Trump served notice that he may pull back federal workers from Puerto Rico, effectively threatening to abandon the U.S. territory amid a humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
This is a truly alarming development; and I wonder if it is even legal to do so?
Update: comment from the Mayor of San Juan in response to the President’s tweet: wa ‘You are incapable of empathy and frankly cannot get the job done.’
From Bloomberg News: Outdated and Unreliable: FEMA’s Faulty Flood Maps Put Homeowners at Risk
Useful article from GovExec.com: Should Uncle Sam ‘Send in the Marines’ After Hurricanes?
Puerto Rico poses a unique set of challenges, which have caused immense problems with disaster response. From Bloomberg News: Puerto Rico’s $74 Billion Burden Left It Helpless When Maria Hit. Years of crushing debt and dwindling budgets took their toll. Roads and utilities crumbled, and ranks of rescuers thinning.
Long before Hurricane Maria struck Sept. 20, a man-made disaster left the bankrupt U.S. commonwealth vulnerable, according to a review of the territory’s finances and $74 billion debt.
We have been hearing many accounts of the problems in Puerto Rico, but the deficiencies noted by an audit of the FL State Div. of Emergency Management are a surprise. FL has been considered one of the better prepared states.
From the Miami Herald, this account of the FL Office of Emergency Management.
Audit warned Florida’s hurricane response system was ‘ill-prepared’ for disaster
The next question is does FEMA know what the capabilities of the state and territorial EM offices are?
The NY Times article, dated Oct. 3, explains the problems with distributing needed goods in Puerto Rico. Aid Is Getting to Puerto Rico. Distributing It Remains a Challenge.
Recovery Diva 