Our Chicago: Helping Puerto Rico after Fiona and preparing for disaster

CHICAGO (WLS) — Virtually precisely 5 years after Hurricane Maria plunged Puerto Rico into an prolonged blackout, the island was devastated by Fiona whereas it was a hurricane.

The storm dumped as much as 20 inches of rain in some areas. It as soon as once more broken {the electrical} grid, which hadn’t been totally repaired after Maria.

Former Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez left Puerto Rico simply hours earlier than Fiona made landfall.

SEE ALSO | Chicago’s Puerto Rican neighborhood outraged by tempo of change since Hurricane Maria

“You have to perceive they by no means mounted {the electrical} grid after 5 years. That is essentially the most technically superior nation on the planet, the richest nation on the planet. We did not repair that grid, and that’s a part of the failure and the loss of life and the devastation on the island of Puerto Rico,” Gutierrez stated. “Quantity two, I’m now a resident of the state of Illinois, however I lived there for 2 years. Outages are frequent and customary, and the water goes and comes… Now, every part is run by diesel. An island that has a lot solar, that it may possibly seize to generate power, a lot wind, and so many waves off its coast has by no means used that expertise to run its electrical system.”

In Chicago, the Puerto Rican Agenda rapidly started to lift cash for restoration efforts. The Nationwide Puerto Rican Museum is a member.

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“Individuals on the island need assistance and other people getting bored with being handled as second-class residents after we are Americans,” Billy Ocasio, the president and CEO.

He stated fundraisers are deliberate within the coming days to assist the individuals of Puerto Rico.

RELATED | Find out how to assist Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic throughout Hurricane Fiona

And whereas Illinois would not expertise hurricanes like Puerto Rico, now we have our personal share of potential risks. September is Nationwide Preparedness Month. It is a reminder for us all to have a plan in place in case of an emergency or catastrophe.

One key step is to create an emergency bag. In response to Pleasure Squier with the American Purple Cross of Better Chicago, you may need one on your dwelling, one other on your automotive.

See what’s in a survival package right here.

Discover out extra concerning the Purple Cross app right here.

Click on right here to donate to the Puerto Rican Agenda reduction efforts.

Click on right here to donate to the American Purple Cross.