Historic Disasters - Hurricane Irma/Maria Puerto Rico

A group of people sowing plants

Foresting and Community Engagement Activity in Barceloneta

Residents from Barceloneta sow native plants during the reforestation activity that took place in El Ancón Park. As part of the technical support requested by the mayor of Barceloneta, Community Planning Capacity Building has being identifying opportunities and resources to develop a collaborative effort with local NGO Para la Naturaleza. This colaboration effort will promote the reforesting of this area highly impacted by Hurricane María. It is expected that over 100 plants will be sown at the end of the activity. FEMA/Eduardo Martinez.

A elderly man receives orientation during a hurricane preparedness event

2019 Hurricane Season Preparedness Event in Loí­za

Loíza resident receives orientation during an event that was held in Parcelas Suárez Community. The purpose of this event is to provide orientation about preparedness through diverse activities and bring other services and information related to the new hurricane season. In addition to guidelines, articles of first necessity were given and the activity was attended by FEMA staff as well as different non-profit organizations. FEMA/Eduardo Martínez

Two female FEMA specialists talk with a man

Disability Integration Information Available at Health Fair

FEMA Disability Integration staff speak with a survivor about access and functional needs for survivors with disabilities during and after a disaster. FEMA in collaboration with different voluntary organizations and the Disaster Case Management program, organize fairs to provide health and vital information to survivors through the island. FEMA/ Michael Medina Latorre

FEMA Specialist standing outside a rebuild house in Aguada

Site Visits In Aguada

Voluntary Agency Liaison visits a house repaired by the Voluntary Agencies Stronger Than Maria and Christian Aid Ministries. FEMA through the Voluntary Agencies Leading and Organizing Repairs (VALOR) program, provide voluntary organizations with building materials to rebuild survivor’s homes in Puerto Rico. FEMA/Michael Medina Latorre

People talking during a meeting.

Governor Roselló Meets with FEMA Officials

Gov. Ricardo Rosselló meets with Federal Coordinating Officer and Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer at the Puerto Rico Joint Recovery Office on Wednesday to discuss hurricane María recovery efforts. Despite the lapse in appropriations, FEMA staff continues to provide assistance to impacted survivors and the territory. We remain committed to assisting survivors before, during, and after disasters. FEMA/Eduardo Martínez.

Photo of Hurricane Maria survivor's house, mid-construction, using stronger building materials that she got thanks to federal assistance for survivors of Hurricane Maria.

Maria Survivor Rebuilds Her Isabela Home With Stronger Materials

A Hurricane Maria survivor's house is being rebuilt with materials that she received thanks in part to FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program. The marine biologist used the funds to buy materials to make her home more resilient against future storms. FEMA/Andrea Bajandas

Side View of a two level house

Permanent Housing Construction Program in Puerto Rico

Side View of a house in the Achiote Community after a complete reconstruction of the second level through the FEMA Permanent Housing Construction Program. This program provides permanent repairs at no cost to eligible owner-occupied homes that suffered significant structural damages due to a natural disaster. FEMA/Eduardo Martínez

Top picture: piles of debris. Lower picture: workshop area repaired and with roof.

Before and After: Rebuilding Homes in Puerto Rico

Before and After photos following Hurricane Maía after it tore through Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. This house like many others on the island suffered severe damage. The owners applied for a loan from the Small Business Administration. The same month their loan was approved, they began to repair their home and office using stronger materials. FEMA/Eduardo Martínez

Top picture: office destroyed. Lower Picture: office repaired.

Before and After: SBA Helps Surivors Rebuild Their Homes in Puerto Rico

The top picture shows the state this home office was left after Hurricane María tore through Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. The lower picture shows the repaired office as it stands today after the owners applied and were approved a loan by the Small Business Administration. FEMA/Eduardo Martinez

FEMA Region 2 Administrator greets National Security Advisor upon arrival at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Congressional Delegation Visits Puerto Rico to Review Recovery from Hurricane Maria

FEMA Region 2 Administrator greets National Security Advisor upon arrival at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina, Puerto Rico with a U.S. House Congressional delegation headed by Nancy Pelosi (California, District 12) who are visiting Puerto Rico to review the progress of recovery efforts after Hurricane María. In the photo are FEMA External Affairs Officer Lee Crager (second from left) and Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Byrne (right). FEMA partners with the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, other federal agencies, the state, local communities, counties, municipalities, volunteer organizations active in disaster (VOAD), and tribal entities to provide assistance to disaster survivors and local communities. Photo by Christopher Mardorf / FEMA.

Survivor standing in front of his under construction home.

Survivor and Volunteer in Castañer

Survivor Alejandro Román, who is working as a volunteer in the reconstruction of survivors' homes in his community Barrio Bartolo Castañer, standing in front of his home. FEMA with VALOR Program supports voluntary organizations with building materials for the reconstruction of survivor’s homes in Castañer. FEMA/Medina Latorre.

American Sign Language Interpreter communicates with survivor.

ASL Interpreter Participates in Hurricane Preparedness Fair

Idaliz Vargas, American Sign Language interpreter communicates with Hurricane María survivor during a preparedness fair. Over 22 government agencies participate in a Hurricane Preparedness Fair at Mayagüez Mall to encourage survivors to be prepared for the new hurricane season that starts on June 1, 2018. FEMA/Michael Medina Latorre

Two men work on a bridge.

New Bridge for Utuado's Survivors

Employees work in the last phase of construction of the new bridge in Barrio Chorreras, Utuado. The previous bridge collapsed due to the flooding caused by Hurricane María when the storm hit the island last September.The new bridge will benefit hundreds of survivors by providing them immediate and safe access to the municipality of Utuado and other areas. FEMA/Eduardo Martínez.

Gargiulo Farm employee fills wagon with tomatoes to be taken to the packaging factory.

Tomato Farm Employees Return To Work After Power Is Restored

Gargiulo Farm employee fills wagon with tomatoes to be taken to the packaging factory. Without power, the factory was unable to proceed with the hygiene process and was at risk of closing down. Thanks to the efforts of Tiffany Greenidge (Econ RSF Interagency Recovery Coordinator), Juan Bauzá (EDR/Economic RSF), and The U.S. Corps of Engineers (USACE), Gargiulo got powered restored before losing the harvest. FEMA/Andrea Bajandas

A section of mountain road is visible on above exposed dirt from a landslide.

Landslide Collapses Road In Barranquitas

FEMA Region VII personnel FEMA personnel from the Joint Field Office and the municipality’s Mayor, Francisco López, tour damage from Hurricane María. Not far from the center of town a landslide has collapsed a section of PR-143 forcing drivers to find detours that can add hours to their journey. FEMA/K.C. Wilsey

Tiffany Greenidge (Econ RSF Interagency Recovery Coordinator) visits the tomato farm that her efforts helped save.

Important Tomato Farm In Santa Isabel Saved From Risk Of Closing

Tiffany Greenidge (Econ RSF Interagency Recovery Coordinator) visits the tomato farm that her efforts helped save. Tiffany Greenidge, Juan Bauzá (EDR/Economic RSF) and the U.S. Corps of Engineers (USACE) worked in conjunction to elevate the Gargiulo Farm case and restore power just in time for harvesting. Over 800 families were impacted and kept their jobs in a local industry that affects the whole Southern Coast in Puerto Rico. FEMA/Andrea Bajandas

An aerial view of 3 square blocks of small homes. Many of them have blue plastic sheathing on the roof.

FEMA Region VII Visits Puerto Rico JFO And Takes Aerial Tour Of Damage

FEMA Region VII personnel, Region VII Administrator Paul Taylor and FEMA personnel from the Joint Field Office get an aerial view of infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Maria. Blue roofs are visible in the town of Suarez in the municipality of Loiza. Operation Blue Roof is carried out by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers as a temporary repair until the homeowner is able to find a permanent fix. The mission is 89% complete with more than 57,000 blue roofs installed to date. FEMA/K.C. Wilsey

Blue roofs are visible in the in the municipality of Cayey. Operation Blue Roof is carried out by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers as a temporary repair

FEMA Region VII Visits Puerto Rico JFO And Takes Aerial Tour

FEMA Region VII personnel, Region VII Administrator Paul Taylor and FEMA personnel from the Joint Field Office get an aerial view of infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Maria. Blue roofs are visible in the in the municipality of Cayey. Operation Blue Roof is carried out by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers as a temporary repair until the homeowner is able to find a permanent fix. The mission is 89% complete with more than 57,000 blue roofs installed to date. FEMA/K.C. Wilsey

Three females talking

Community Organization Distribute Commodities in Cataño

Volunteers help Marisol Luna (sitting left), organize and distribute FEMA commodities in the municipality of Cataño. Communidad Viva William Fuertesis a non profit organization that is distributing FEMA meals and infant kits to Hurricane María survivors. FEMA/Eliezer Hernández

Three men unloading electronic waste from a pick-up truck.

EPA Removes Hazardous Waste from Communities in Puerto Rico

Members of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unload and categorize hazardous waste to properly dispose at the nearest Collection Center. In collaboration with FEMA, the EPA has the mission of collecting and properly disposing household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronics during the Hurricane María response in Puerto Rico. FEMA/Eduardo Martínez

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