The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in Washington, D.C., announced today, via a press release, that Donald Trump has amended Puerto Rico’s disaster declaration; now, additional disaster assistance is available to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
The release explained that the additional assistance authorizes an increase in federal funding to the Commonwealth for certain eligible costs as a result of Hurricane Maria beginning on Sept. 17, 2017 and continuing.
Last week, Hurricane Maria ripped through Puerto Rico, causing billions of dollars in damage to the already struggling country, financially.
According to a Sept. 20, 2017 Bloomberg report, that attempted to monetize the extent of the damage, Maria made landfall in the southeastern part of the U.S. territory last Wednesday with winds reaching 155 miles (249 kilometers) per hour, knocking out electricity across the island.
Their report went on to explain that the storm flooded parts of downtown San Juan, downed trees and ripped the roofs from homes.
The report, quoted, “Puerto Rico has little financial wherewithal to navigate a major catastrophe, given its decision in May to seek protection from creditors after a decade of economic decline, excessive borrowing and the loss of residents to the U.S. mainland.”
As for the clean up of the island, the President’s action on Tuesday authorizes 100 percent federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, for 180 days from the start of the declaration beginning on Sept. 17, 2017.
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