NY State Troopers To Help Puerto Rico Recover From Hurricane Fiona

NEW YORK — To support Puerto Rico in the wake of devastating flooding and winds caused by Hurricane Fiona, New York officials are sending 50 troopers to assist with keeping residents safe.

Another 50 troopers will be deployed in coming weeks, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. Additionally, teams from the New York Power Authority are ready to deploy and assist in restoring power to the island.

Torrential rains, up to 30 inches in some areas, produced life-threatening and catastrophic flooding. More than one million Puerto Ricans were without power as critical infrastructure systems have been damaged. AccuWeather estimated the economic impact on the island from Fiona to be about $10 billion.

On Sunday, President Biden declared Hurricane Fiona an emergency, authorizing FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts. New York will work to support any requests coordinated by FEMA in the coming days to assist the residents of Puerto Rico. Delta and JetBlue will both donate cargo space and transport emergency personnel; the Greater New York Hospital Association will provide medical supplies; and Coca-Cola has committed water and additional supplies. Habitat for Humanity of New York City and Westchester County and the State's Building Trades also have committed their support as needs are identified.

Following a call with Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi, Hochul also announced that the state has been working with Delta, JetBlue, Coca-Cola, New York State's Building Trades, the Greater New York Hospital Association, and SOMOS Community Care, who have all pledged their support for response and recovery efforts.

"New York knows full well the devastating impact that Mother Nature can bring, and that is why we stand ready to help the people of Puerto Rico recover and rebuild from this terrible storm," Hochul said in the announcement. "Our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico are incredibly resilient but, in times like this, New York will be there to help in any way we can, including sending personnel and resources to help the island and its residents recover."

The Dominican Republic is also being hit by Hurricane Fiona, and Hochul said she is in contact with the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, to support the country's relief efforts.

The storm is not yet over, as its general motion northwest is expected to continue through this evening, before making a turn to the northeast later this week.

"Our hearts are with the people of Puerto Rico as they endure the impacts of yet another devastating hurricane," New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said. "Governor Hochul and I are closely tracking Fiona and any further impacts the storm may have beyond the island. DHSES' Emergency Operations Center will coordinate State agency response on the ground as additional requests come in from both FEMA and Puerto Rico."