Hurricane Maria

Damaged power lines on a hilltop in Patillas, Puerto Rico, against a gray sky
Ayana Byrd  Sep 11, 2019 2:27PM EDT

Ex-FEMA Officials Arrested For Taking Bribes to Award Contract to Repair Puerto Rico's Power Grid

A federal corruption investigation uncovered the bribes that led to Cobra Acquisitions receiving $1.8 billion in contracts.
Two people standng in the muddy rode in Puerto Rico, shovels in hand, colorful buildings and blue sky behind them
Ayana Byrd  Sep 5, 2019 2:38PM EDT

Trump Administration Takes $400 Million From Puerto Rico Recovery to Fund Border Wall

It’s part of a $3.6 billion package pulled out of the Department of Defense’s budget to pay for 175 miles of barrier.
Damaged electrical poles against a blue sky in Luquillo, Puerto Rico
Ayana Byrd  Aug 14, 2019 2:15PM EDT

ICYMI: Puerto Rico's New Governor Suspends Contract to Repair Power Grid

“I hope this isn’t a smoke screen and that there’s a real audit. That’s what all these people who have lost trust in the government expect.”
pride flag and person in a beauty pageant sash at San Juan pride parade in 2018
Ayana Byrd  Jul 8, 2019 2:52PM EDT

READ: A Push to Rebuild Safe Spaces For LGBTQ+ Puerto Ricans

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and recent legislative challenges to their rights, members of Puerto Rico’s queer community are working to restore life-saving spaces.
Ayana Byrd  Jul 3, 2019 2:15PM EDT

LISTEN: How Puerto Ricans Are Preparing For The Next Hurricane

NPR spoke to politicians and residents of the island about what they are doing in the face of government inaction.  
Children in brightly colorled clothes in shelter in Puerto Rico, child in front wears red and white and carries blue bag
Ayana Byrd  Apr 29, 2019 1:39PM EDT

STUDY: How Hurricane Maria Affected Mental Health of Children in Puerto Rico

A new study from the  Puerto Rico Department of Education and Medical University of South Carolina found that nearly one-third of the children surveyed reported strong predictors of PTSD following the storm.
Puerto Rican flag
Ayana Byrd  Apr 8, 2019 12:06PM EDT

READ: Puerto Ricans Face Food Shortages, Crumbling Infrastructure As Relief Aid Stalls

These are the real life consequences of Capitol Hill in-fighting.
A Puerto Rican flag hangs from a black-shuttered window set in a bright blue exterior wall
Ayana Byrd  Apr 2, 2019 2:01PM EDT

Senate Rejects Bill That Would Send Relief Money to Puerto Rico

Democrats say the bill’s aid package is another sign of Republican disregard for the island.
Puerto Rico Marks Holiday Season Amidst Slow Hurricane Recovery
Ayana Byrd  Feb 21, 2019 12:07PM EST

Scientists Hope Hurricane Maria Can Reveal How The Earth Recovers From Increasingly Intense Storms

Caribbean ecosystems devastated by climate-related extreme weather have global implications.
Puerto Rico Faces Extensive Damage After Hurricane Maria
Ayana Byrd  Jan 29, 2019 12:28PM EST

Puerto Rican Activists Fear Residents Will See Little of $20 Billion Recovery Grant

Human rights attorney Ariadna Godreau-Aubert: “What we’ve seen so far is that this is a plan for developers, and not for the people.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda. Latinx man with black hair and beard in dark suit with blue tie and shirt in front of blue wall with light blue text spelling "MARY POPPINS RETURNS" and white text spelling "Entertainment"
Sameer Rao  Jan 15, 2019 3:39PM EST

Lin-Manuel Miranda Uses Puerto Rican 'Hamilton' Run to Support Recovery

Ticket sales will aid the Flamboyan Arts Fund’s mission to uplift the island’s arts institutions.
Puerto Rico Marks Holiday Season Amidst Slow Hurricane Recovery
Ayana Byrd  Nov 27, 2018 12:30PM EST

Puerto Rican Homeowners Suffer As FEMA Pays Exorbitant Prices for Home Repairs

An investigation from The New York Times reveals extreme markups and disappointed residents.
Monica Puig. Brown woman with blonde hair in white warm-up outfit with red accents wears gold medal on green lanyard in front of green and brown wall
Sameer Rao  Sep 27, 2018 3:28PM EDT

How Monica Puig Reps Puerto Rico On and Off the Tennis Court

The tennis star, who turns 25 today, made history when she won Puerto Rico’s first Olympic gold medal in 2016. Now she uses her fame to support the commonwealth.
A man wearing sunglasses poses with boxing gloves decorated with the Puerto Rican flag
Joaquin Cotler and Angely Mercado  Sep 21, 2018 11:59AM EDT

Ruin—and Resilience—in Post-Maria Puerto Rico

Hurricane Maria began devastating Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. A look at the pain—and the survival—of the island’s rural areas. 
Latinx man in navy shirt and yellow construction hat and yellow and orange vest stands in front of brown and grey and green building and brown electrical poles with black power lines
Sameer Rao  Sep 21, 2018 2:12AM EDT

Activists to FCC: Investigate Maria's Impact on Puerto Rico's Telecom Infrastructure

A coalition including Defend Puerto Rico, Free Press and the Center for Media Justice wants the FCC to account for how Hurricane Maria destroyed the island’s telecommunications and to map out how to fix it.
Puerto Rican flag
Ayana Byrd  Sep 19, 2018 12:28PM EDT

As Puerto Ricans Move to the Mainland, Rich White Americans Set Up Lives on the Island

Although post-Maria life has not returned to normal, PR is still attractive as a tax haven.
Chencho in white jacket and black shirt next to Maldy in blue jacket with blonde hair in front of black and white screen
Sameer Rao  Aug 30, 2018 2:50PM EDT

Reggaeton Takes On New Meaning For Many Puerto Ricans Living Stateside After Hurricane Maria

A new NPR article shows how a longing for home has led to a rise in the music’s popularity.
arms in red sleeves insert ballot into voting machine
catherine lizette gonzalez  Aug 17, 2018 1:49PM EDT

Florida Lawsuit Seeks Bilingual Ballots for Puerto Ricans Who Fled Hurricane Maria

Several advocacy organizations say elected officials in Florida are violating the voting rights of tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans who moved to the mainland after the devastating hurricane.
Puerto Rico Faces Extensive Damage After Hurricane Maria
Ayana Byrd  Aug 15, 2018 12:34PM EDT

All of Puerto Rico's Residents Have Electricity Again, But Grid Is Still Fragile

Nearly one year after a full blackout, the electrical utility’s executive director acknowledges the situation remains “a mess.”
Ayana Byrd  Aug 9, 2018 1:41PM EDT

Puerto Rico Officials Finally Admit Hurricane Maria Killed More Than 64 People

In a report to Congress, they placed the number at approximately 1,427 people. Meanwhile, a May study said the death toll was at least 4,645.