Let the rebuilding process begin

How those have been affected by the recent, multiple, coastal hurricanes.

Keri Kipp

News Editor

  The East Coast has definitely battled some of the worst conditions over these past few weeks. These places include Florida, Puerto Rico, Barbuda, Anguilla, Cuba, the Southeast Bahamas, and many other separated islands.

  The first island hit by hurricane Maria was Dominica, and unfortunately they have had some serious results from the storm. As of right now, there are 15 people that have died and 20 people are missing.

  “It was a “miracle” the death toll wasn’t in the hundreds, Dominica is going to need all the help the world has to offer,” said Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, The Guardian Website.

  The United States Government’s Disaster Preparedness Agency has failed in their duties to track flooding in local neighborhoods. This is leaving homeowners that have been affected by the hurricane extremely vulnerable and with nowhere else to go.

  “I have been in contact with my cousin in Puerto Rico, and he said that they are doing good. The only thing is that they have to go all the way to their dad’s job in Mexico in order to get service,” said Jasmine Santiago, senior.

  As of Thursday afternoon, Puerto Rico has no service whatsoever and all water services have been shut off to 70% of the island’s customers which is leaving the people restless. They just want justice and a rebuilt version of what was once called home.

  “Right now, they are planning to go to Georgia to stay with my Uncle for the time being until everything is rebuilt and has stable living conditions,” said Santiago.

  Also on Thursday, Puerto Rico was declared as a “major disaster zone” by the White House and has been ordered to receive federal assistance as soon as possible.

  Florida is also in a rough place after Hurricane Irma passed directly through the state. The devastation of the residents is becoming obvious as they limp towards Georgia in need for help.

  “I have been pretty calm in this situation, considering I haven’t heard anything from my dad after the storms. He’s almost 90 years old, there’s only so much someone can take. I just have to stay optimistic,” said George Kipp, son of hurricane victim.

  With this being a very hard tragedy that the East Coast has faced, the population is coming together with their faith and emotional strength. Everyone needs a helping hand in a time like this one, and having someone who knows exactly what they are going through could just be what someone needs. In times like this, the United States needs to come together and create a security blanket for those who cannot defend for themselves right now.