My dad lives in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It is completely destroyed.

I can't contact my friend and her mother in Cabo Rojo...I fear the worst has happened.

a reply to: dragonridr

no not really, or they would be a state already.

But if you are correct then it just goes to show you how corrupt our government servants really are in microcosm.

No words zombie, just know I will be watching this thread for any news. Sending my broken-hearted prayers to your family.

a reply to: olaru12

we can only pray that all is well and that the lack of communications is all that is wrong.

originally posted by: dantanna
let him come live with you as they rebuild the place.

if someone told me 1 month no electricity let alone 6? i would grab everything and bail so quick.

I think you maybe right and an evacuation may be the way to go.But where would people without family in the states be evacuated to?

a reply to: TDawg61

hey there about 175 million liberals and quite a few very wealthy ones too, who would be more than happy to help by opening their homes to them. The names that come to mind are Cher, George (loony) Clooney, DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Madonna, just to name a few.

a reply to: ZombieZygote

Just joined so I could respond. I have family on the island. We never have contact. I truly hope you have a positive outcome

a reply to: KTemplar

Praying for all affected

a reply to: dragonridre]

Their government is our government why do people think it's a separate country???????

Puerto Rico is a US territory, not a State. Another word for territory is colony. IOW, they are exploited by the uS, why they are so deep in debt and still so poor. This makes any disaster worse because they are so burdened with debt they won't be getting mush direct help from the US in the form of loans to rebuild.

Your charity will be the only aid.

originally posted by: violet
Hope you can find out about your loved ones. Must be heart wrenching not knowing. I cannot imagine.

Getting in touch with the Red Cross is your best bet

They have a website Safe and Well where residents register for the loved ones to search for them. That's if they know about it and registered. Possibly if they ended up in a hospital or a shelter they might have been put on the list. Worth a shot Its advised to keep trying if you find nothing.

Take a look at this Page. It has a few ways to try searching

Puerto Rico's Federal Affairs Administration asked friends and family members to call 202-778-0710 to check on the status of loved ones, although this option might not be possible in the U.S. territory considering the number of downed cell phone towers and phone lines.....


....Contact the island’s disaster relief team by e-mailing [email protected]. Because of high volume, officials ask that you only send one email — no follow-ups — unless the status of your loved one has changed. Include your contact information and as many details about your family member or friend as possible.

Try old fashioned letter post!
.....If the disaster relief effort has gone on for several weeks, consider sending them a letter, as mail may be getting forwarded.

Best of luck

How nice of you to throw a life line , really helpful!

I've been wondering something: How are people in Puerto Rico going to pay for anything? No power for months means no credit cards, ATMs, or bank access for months!

Anyone who wasn't a "prepper" is instantly poor.

a reply to: ChesterJohn

Add sligtlyskeptical in south florida to the list. Not really a liberal but definitely anti-right and I guess if you are not with them you are against them. It seems that by your post it is a given that the Jesus loving conservatives helping is not an option.

a reply to: AndyFromMichigan

Heard around 11:30 CDT that they've managed to open the airport and AA and another airline have landed planes now waiting to board passengers.

I have in-laws in PR and they're leaving. They report most of the young people had long since left. Frankly, I'd think the best thing to do is to evacuate the island altogether. PR has practically no economic value and is head-over-heels in debt. There's really no reason for anyone to be there, especially after this and they don't have the manpower to rebuild. It seems cruel to keep them trapped in poverty in the dark without food, water or hope of rescue.

originally posted by: TonyS
a reply to: AndyFromMichigan

Heard around 11:30 CDT that they've managed to open the airport and AA and another airline have landed planes now waiting to board passengers.

I have in-laws in PR and they're leaving. They report most of the young people had long since left. Frankly, I'd think the best thing to do is to evacuate the island altogether. PR has practically no economic value and is head-over-heels in debt. There's really no reason for anyone to be there, especially after this and they don't have the manpower to rebuild. It seems cruel to keep them trapped in poverty in the dark without food, water or hope of rescue.

Still, if you didn't already have a ticket, how would you pay for it? I don't think American Airlines is going to let you barter your TV and a couple of chickens for a pair of tickets off the island.

a reply to: ChesterJohn
Comes off as a bit selfish.
I know, I know, they might have squandered what was given instead of making improvements.

It's a time for people to be giving. We can't just leave the people to die. Fending for themselves seems unrealistic

I don't know what can be done. Obviously they don't have building codes that should be abided by like we do in our countries. They haven't upgraded the infrastructure in preparation.

I think though also, some of us might be living in places where we think we have all that protection , but we don't.

a reply to: AndyFromMichigan

Trump stated that the US is pledging at least a billion in aid to Puerto Rico but I don't think even the best logistics people know exactly what needs to be done. If they are weighing a mass evacuation similar to the one for Katrina they may be waiting to see if the volunteer rate for evacuation becomes more popular in the coming weeks. For stubborn homesteaders living in the country they could make it through the winter somewhat independent with a good generator as long as they can drive into a distribution hub for supplies and generator fuel.

a reply to: violet>>>> I think you're going to see and Agenda 21 style re population( or de population) of that entire island. They'll bulldoze entire slums and large tracts of interior land will be set aside for natural open space and controlled agriculture. People will be encouraged to leave, even forced to. It will become a playground for the 1% and resort industry will boom. They'll drag out getting the water and power back as long as possible to encourage the exodus. And they'll also limit basic necessities like foodstuffs and medicine. My city has a very large PR population and I expect that to at least double. Its going to tax human services and slumlords will have a field day but there won't be an abandoned house left in the city, at least.

a reply to: AndyFromMichigan

True, I'd hope the military would airlift the poor out.

a reply to: sligtlyskeptical

not true just your interpretation.

a reply to: TonyS

Can't even get the Jones act lifted.

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Elaine Duke today urging the department to waive the Jones Act for Puerto Rico to aid recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

www.mccain.senate.gov...

In World War I, neutral ships were subject to being stopped to be searched for contraband but makes no sense that peace time foreign aid would be denied by the Defense department?