by 7News Staff & Associated Press
WASHINGTON (7News) — Hurricane Fiona ripped through Puerto Rico’s southwest coast on Sunday prompting President Joe Biden to declare a state of emergency in the U.S. territory.
The storm knocked out power grids, and asphalt on roads and created chaotic landslides.
Weather forecasters warned the floods would cause a historic amount of rain with up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) possible in eastern and southern Puerto Rico.
Fiona’s impact took a turn for the worst, becoming catastrophic. The storm was centered 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of Mayaguez with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. It was moving to the northwest at 9 mph (15 kph).
Fiona struck on the anniversary of Hurricane Hugo — which hit Puerto Rico 33 years ago as a Category 3 storm.
Fiona hit just two days before the anniversary of Hurricane Maria, a devastating Category 4 storm that struck on Sept. 20, 2017, that destroyed the island’s power grid and caused nearly 3,000 deaths.
Fiona was forecast to swipe the Dominican Republic on Monday and then northern Haiti and the Turks and Caicos Islands with the threat of heavy rain. St. Kitts and Nevis also reported flooding and downed trees.
With many residents left without a home, due to Fiona’s damaging winds and rain, organizations are coming together to provide support to those impacted.
7News created a list of organizations and non-profits that have started efforts to help those in need.
Here’s how you can help:
Islamic Relief USA: a nonprofit humanitarian organization based in Alexandria, has set up an emergency campaign for Puerto Rico to help families impacted by Hurricane Fiona. Click here to donate
Puerto Rico Community Foundation (Fundaracion Comunitaria de Puerto Rico): The Puerto Rico Community Foundation activated the Community Recovery Fund for Puerto Rico (Fondo de Recuperación Comunitaria para Puerto Rico) to support the work of non-profit organizations that are activated to respond to the emergency. Click here to donate
Comedores Sociales de Puerto Rico: “Creada en 2013, Comedores Sociales de Puerto Rico es una organización sin fines de lucro que busca erradicar el hambre en Puerto Rico mediante estrategias de trabajo colectivo y socialización de recursos en favor de la mayoría de nuestro pueblo.” Click here to donate
Casa Pueblo: “Casa Pueblo es un proyecto de autogestión comunitaria que tiene el compromiso de apreciar y proteger los recursos naturales, culturales y humanos.” Click here to donate
Taller Salud: This is a community-based feminist organization dedicated to improving women’s access to health care, to reducing violence within the community and encouraging economic growth through education and activism. Click here to donate
Brigada Solidaria del Oeste (BSO): They are activating their mutual support network in the event of an emergency as a result of the passing of Hurricane Fiona. You can donate monetarily or send first aid kits, water filters, solar lamps or water purification tablets. Click here to donate.
Read the full article at wjla.com.