Puerto Rico, Three Years After Hurricane María

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Enduring Disasters: Puerto Rico,

ThreeINTRODUCTION Years After Hurricane María

eptember 20, 2018 marked a year since hurri- account alternative data, namely Puerto Rico’s Department cane Maria wrought havoc on the island of Puerto of Education and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American S Rico. Though the media has reported the crisis in a Community Survey (ACS), as compared to tradition- myriad of ways–for better or worse–our intention here is to al methodologies and sources used to render migration esti- provide a timeline of the major occurrences in the after- mates by other research institutes in the recent past. math, a meta-analysis of the media’s coverage of the disas- The closures of the public school system for months in the ter, and an updated account of the exodus of people. The wake of the storms further exacerbated the massive drain- island continues to suffer from a tenuous electric grid, age of population already in force prior to the cyclone, due ruined infrastructure, and financial bankruptcy a year after to what is now considered over a decade recession. The the hurricane; the increase in migratory numbers reflects humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of Hurricane has led the limitations that many continue to face on the island. to over 160,000 people to leave the island for the states. More importantly, the island’s population continues to de- Ranked from highest to moderate in migrants preference cline, and as a result, many schools have been closed, small are: Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, New Jersey, businesses experienced financial losses, and death rates Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio, California, and Illi- exceeded birth rates for the first time in history. nois. Given the uncertain nature of the island’s economy, As per George Washington University’s study released we can expect the continuation of Puerto Rican migration on August 28, 2018, the most recent official death toll to the states, and, by implication, a changing experi- numbers to an astounding 2,975 the deadliest event in ence for stateside Puerto Ricans. This report marks this more than one hundred years. Hurricane Maria represents important turning point and is divided into three sections: many firsts in U.S. history: the longest sustained domestic timeline, media analysis, and exodus. air mission of food and water response, the largest disaster commodity distribution commission, the most expansive sea-bridge operation of federal disaster aid, and the biggest disaster generator installation mission. In addition, Ma- ria constitutes one of the largest disaster medical response and housing operations in U.S. history. For our analysis of media response, we have gathered top- ics covered by US online news sources and compared the frequencies of certain key words used by reporters on a monthly scale. TheIssued September Word Cloud datasets 2020 visually con- vey these trends over the past year, by way of Media Cloud, an open-source platform for media analysis. The exodus section details new migration estimates, taking into INTRODUCTION

event that takes place in the Caribbean affects communi- Puerto Rico has suffered the compounded effects of ties not just there, but also far and away. One such place multiple disasters over the last three years: the devastat- was Holyoke, in western Massachusetts. In Anticipated ing impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September Vulnerabilities: Displacement and Migration in the Age of 2017, recurrent seismic activity in the southwest region, Climate Change, a report jointly produced by Centro and including a magnitude 6.4 earthquake on January 7, El Instituto: the Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, and Lat- 2020, the current COVID-19 pandemic; all underscored in American Studies (University of Connecticut-Storrs) by a crushing debt crisis and a federally-mandated aus- we document the experiences of those displaced to the terity regime since 2016. Multiple natural disasters have United States by the hurricane, the relatives who provided exacerbated vulnerability and poverty, and public energy, them with safe haven in the United States, and the civic telecommunications, water, health, and transportation and government sectors that supported both groups in systems have greatly deteriorated and become even more Holyoke in the weeks, months, and now years since the vulnerable, causing systematic failures in social safety nets. storm hit.

Recent disasters have revealed serious vulnerabilities in We next take an in-depth look at the massive and con- Puerto Rico’s preparedness and the lack of suitable and ac- tinuing post- Maria exodus and the impact of the evacu- cessible mechanisms to support adequate local communi- ees on stateside Puerto Rican communities. The recent ty engagement. The devastation caused by recent disasters migration of Puerto Ricans from the island has come to have also opened a window of opportunity not just for increase the number of Puerto Ricans in the United States recovery from the catastrophe but also for building a more overall. Given the importance that population size and resilient infrastructure. The history of how Puerto Rico growth have in the social and political discourse in the takes advantage of this window of opportunity brought United States, this increase will contribute to make Puerto about by catastrophic events is being written in an unfold- Ricans more visible politically, socially, economically, ing present. culturally and economically.

It is imperative that the rebuilding of Puerto Rico is Hurricanes Irma and Maria may have brought destruc- undertaken, encouraged, and embraced by a wide range tion and devastation, but they also brought opportunities of civic sector actors including businesses, cooperatives, for the building of a stronger Puerto Rico and Diaspora. nonprofit organizations, municipalities, religious and edu- These opportunities take the form of: the collective efforts cational institutions, both in Puerto Rico and the United that resulted initially in rescue and relief responses to the States. It is precisely these stakeholders, in conjunction hurricanes’ destruction and have since then evolved into with decision-makers who can stimulate participation, recovery and reconstruction initiatives; the need for mit- transparency, equity, and accountability, all elements of igation and preparedness at the local level; and funding good government. opportunities, mostly from the federal government, to rebuild critical infrastructure and capacity-building. Chal- In this report, we mark three years since the hurricanes lenges will arise from the enormity of the reconstruction struck Puerto Rico by looking at salient events over the task at hand; the competing demands for limited resourc- past year to gain a broader understanding of the political es; and the willingness of diverse fields of stakeholders and social landscape that impacts rebuilding efforts. to come together to tackle to tasks at hand. Success will come from meeting the challenges taking advantages of While Puerto Rico bore the overwhelming brunt of the existing opportunities. Centro remains a willing convener cyclone, its impact was also felt in places in the United of those collective efforts and initiatives. States in which Puerto Ricans have settled. With increase mobility of people across countries, however, a weather

2 The following timeline collects the pertinent headlines and news stories related to Puerto Rico over the past two years in regards to the TIMELINE events following Hurricane Maria’s destruction. While the story the year succeeding Maria primarily focused on recovery efforts and death toll count, a shift has occurred within the consecutive year where headlines detailed the delay of disaster relief funding and corruption within the government of Puerto Rico. Insufficient funding and fraud charges from the governor’s top officials involving millions of dollars have left the island in a position where rebuilding may be delayed in the foreseeable future.

9/6/2017 12/20/2017 6/29/2018 Hurricane Irma passes north of Puerto Ninety days after Hurricane Maria, FEMA, HUD and PR Department of Rico, causing significant damage to the more than 9,600 disaster victims were Housing issue a report on housing dam- island’s electricity. Heavy rainfall led temporarily housed in Puerto Rico and age titled “Housing Damage Assessment to rivers reaching flood stage and six across 38 states through the Transitional and Recovery Strategies Report.” The landslides. The hurricane attributed to Sheltering Program (TSA), which allowed report classifies the ten most impacted approximately $759.4 million in damag- residents of Puerto Rico displaced by communities by the total number of dam- es and four fatalities, and Gov. Ricardo Hurricanes Irma & Maria to be granted aged housing units as San Juan, Bayamon, Rosselló declared Vieques and Culebra to access to temporary housing across the Caguas, Ponce, Toa Baja, Carolina, Are- be disaster areas. states. Earlier in the month, a new report cibo, Humacao, Canovanas, and Guay- suggested the death toll to be closer to nabo. However, when considering the 1,000. number of damaged housing units within a specific market, the 10 most impacted areas are found to be smaller communities such as Culebra, Vieques, Comerio, Canovanas, Guayama, Toa Alta, Utuado, and Cayey.

2017 2018 2018

9/20/2017 1/25/2018 8/14/2018 Hurricane Maria made landfall at According to several reports, 3,894 survi- The government-owned electric power 6:15AM as a Category 4, with sustained vors remained in Puerto Rico and across company in Puerto Rico announces that winds blowing at 145mph and peaking at 42 states via the TSA program. This was it officially restored power to the entire 155mph as it made landfall. The north- a 40% decrease in enrollment from the island - almost a year after the power west trajectory of the storm assured that December 20 report. A subsequent report grid was severely impacted by Hurricane the entire island would be affected. Heavy by the New York Times stated that 1,500 Maria. rainfall occurred throughout the territory, survivors resided in Florida, as well as peaking at 37.9 inches in Caguas, accord- more than 800 in Puerto Rico. 8/28/2018 ing to the National Weather Service. Ma- Puerto Rico’s governor updated the ria has been the worst storm to hit Puerto 2/1/2018 island’s official death toll for victims of Rico since San Felipe Segundo in 1928. The U.S. Department of Housing and Hurricane Maria on Tuesday, hours after Urban Development (HUD) awarded independent researchers from George 10/20/2017 $1.5 billion to attend the reconstruction Washington University released a study One month after Hurricane Maria hit of damaged housing and local businesses estimating the hurricane caused 2,975 Puerto Rico, 83% of residents and busi- in Puerto Rico. Less than two weeks later, deaths in the six months following the nesses were without electricity. Bloomberg nearly 200 households were informed storm. Politics reports that one-in-three residents that their eligibility for the TSA program lacked running water; only half of the is- had expired. SEPTEMBER 2018 land’s cellular towers worked. The official Centro releases, “Puerto death toll was 49, while 76 people were 5/15/2018 Rican Exodus: One Year still missing. FEMA reported a total of 357,492 dam- Since Hurricane Maria,” aged homes caused by Hurricane Maria; a report highlighting the overall about 23% of the island’s housing relocation of nearly 160,000 stock was affected. Puerto Rican residents to the United States.

3 TIMELINE

9/20/2018 1/14/19 2/21/2019 One year after Hurricane Maria, the in- FOMBPR, the federal control board that Businesses in Puerto Rico opened at a cident remains the worst natural disaster oversees Puerto Rico’s finances, asked a much faster rate than closing several to hit Puerto Rico. Only 855 schools court to invalidate over $6 billion worth months after Hurricane Maria as accord- opened. The second-largest blackout in of debt. FOMBPR stated the debt, ing to a University of Puerto Rico study. history. The largest disaster in medical re- including all general obligation bonds The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, a sponse missions and third-costliest storm issued in 2012 and 2014, were in clear data set on entrepreneurship, showed that in U.S. history. violation of debt limits established by the entrepreneurial activity was on the rise Constitution of Puerto Rico. The money from 2017 to 2018. 11/23/2018 went towards financing deficit spending According to the Fourth National Cli- as opposed to being used to balance bud- 2/28/2019 mate Assessment, nearly 8,000 of Puerto get requirements. The fiscal board which controls spending Rico’s structures near low-lying areas are in Puerto Rico funded Gov. Ricardo Ros- at risk by an increase in sea level of 1.6 1/30/19 selló $1.5 million to downsize the backlog feet. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton in the island’s morgue. announced dozens of projects intended 11/26/2018 to help Puerto Rico along with several 4/7/2019 According to the New York Times, major- other Caribbean islands all affected by The New York Times reports that the ity of the $1 billion FEMA originally al- Hurricane Maria all part of a two-day sole hospital in the island of Vieques still located for emergency repairs to homes in conference in the Island organized by The remains closed and deteriorated as a result Puerto Rico damaged by Hurricane Maria Clinton Foundation. of Hurricane Maria eighteen months is instead going to contractors charging after. Residents are forced to travel eight steep markups and overhead. miles to the main island to receive treat- ments.

2018 2019 2019

12/19/2019 2/5/2019 MAY 2019 House lawmakers introduced a new bill U.S. District Judge Gustavo Gelpí cen- Centro releases their intended to strengthen reporting require- sured the federal government of unconsti- “Population Decline ments after an influential consultant was tutionally discriminating against Puerto and School Closure found to have an undisclosed stake in Ricans, violating their equal protection in Puerto Rico” Puerto Rico’s debt. This came after con- rights by withholding disability benefits report, highlighting cern of the possibility of self-dealing and owed to residing Puerto Ricans in the the massive slump other hidden conflicts in Puerto Rico’s mainland. the Island faced as a $123 billion bankruptcy. consequence of the 2/13/2019 hurricane. 1/11/2019 Puerto Rico and three other United Reports that President Donald Trump States territories were added to a money 5/2/2019 could use $2.5 billion set aside to laundering blacklist. The blacklist will Dozens of banks and financial firms were finance reconstruction projects in the require European banks to apply further sued by the government oversight board island to pay for a U.S.-Mexico border inspection to transactions with these leading Puerto Rico through its $123 bil- wall broke, leading to major backlash areas. Puerto Rico was added to the black- lion debt crisis, who stated that $9 billion from several Puerto Rican officials. list along with North Korea, Libya and in debt relief aid was issued illegally and Yemen as locations where drug dealers, Puerto Rico should not have to repay. terrorists, and corrupt dictators can laun- der their profits. 5/14/2019 A report states the island has received only $12.6 billion in disaster relief funds, contradicting statements from President Donald Trump that $91 billion was given to Puerto Rico.

4 7/24/2019 TIMELINE Rumors spread as headlines across major news publications stated for the public 7/4/2019 7/13/2019 to expect a resignation from Roselló A NBC News congressional report states The full 889-page conversation between throughout various specific points in Puerto Rico may not be able to care for Rosselló and the other members within the day. While these rumors ultimate- all its veterans if another disaster strikes this group chat was published by local ly turned out to be false, news broke the island. news agency Centro de Periodismo Inves- that three attorneys commissioned by tigativo. The incident has seen several dif- Carlos Méndez Núñez, the president of 7/8/2019 ferent labels, including, “Telegramgate,” Puerto Rico’s House of Representatives, found five offenses that constitute the Eleven pages worth of screenshots of “RickyGate,” and “RickyLeaks,” by the grounds for impeachment. Among these a group chat on the instant messaging community and bears striking similarities offenses include illegal misuse of public service Telegram were leaked. This group to last year’s WhatsApp Gate - which office for personal gain, embezzlement, chat involved Gov. Ricardo Rosselló and also featured members of Rosselló’s negligence as pertaining to fulfilling the several members of his cabinet, campaign cabinet. Messages within the group chat duties of public office and violations of managers, and consultants including were described by the public as obscene, the government ethics law. Rosselló took Secretary of State Luis G. Rivera Marín, homophobic, racist, sexist, and vulgar, to Facebook later to officially announce the PROMESA board’s governor repre- with some messages having been aimed his resignation through a pre-recorded sentative Christian Sobrino, and Secretary towards specific individuals and events. message - stepping down from office on to the Governor Ricardo Llerandi. The Comments ranged from poking fun to- August 2nd, 2019 at 5 p.m. ET. screenshots showed snippets of vulgar and wards communities affected by Hurricane crude comments made by members of the Maria to insulting singer Ricky Martin chat towards other established politicians and mayor of San Juan Carmen Yulín and personalities. Llerandi confirmed the Cruz, and former New York City Council authenticity of the leaks the following Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. Previously day. mentioned Marín and Sobrino resigned.

2019 2019 2019

7/10/2019 7/22/2019 7/31/2019 A 32-count indictment led to six people Hundreds of thousands of protesters shut Rosselló nominated a new secretary of arrested by the FBI, including two former down traffic and Puerto Rico Highway state who could succeed him as gover- high-ranking government officials, on 18, also known as Expreso Las Américas. nor: Pedro R. Pierluisi. An attorney and charges of conspiracy and other crimes This protest, now dubbed the “March of member of the United States House of involving millions of dollars of education the People,” made history as the largest Representatives, Pierluisi faced opposition and Medicaid fundings. protest in the recent history of the island from lawmakers within Puerto Rico’s as five hundred thousand stood their senate who aimed to block his confir- ground against the rain. Earlier in the day, mation for the position. The same day United States President Donald Trump that Rosselló nominated Pierluisi, a new slammed Ricardo Rosselló and other document with an additional 100 pages government leaders - including Mayor of the Telegram conversation was released Carmen Yulin Cruz, accusing them of by journalist Sandra Rodríguez Cotto. wasting billions of dollars of Hurricane Maria disaster relief aid. “The money is squandered and wasted and stolen,” Trump told reporters. “Congress is not happy about it.”

5 8/2/2019 The House of Representatives confirmed TIMELINE Pierluisi as the Secretary of State for Puerto Rico, thus assuming governorship immediately after Rossello’s resignation. He was sworn in as Governor of Puerto 8/5/2019 8/27/2019 Rico at 5PM AST, immediately as soon San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz and Puerto Rico declared a state of emergency as Rosselló’s incumbency ended - making Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz in anticipation of Tropical Storm Dorian, Pierluisi the first unelected governor in filed lawsuits to remove Pierluisi from which was expected to make landfall later seven decades. A press conference was his position and declare his appointment in the week. held during a private ceremony by Pier- from Rosselló unconstitutional due to luisi, who stated he will only remain in the Senate having never confirmed his 8/28/2019 office if the Senate ratified him as gover- appointment. Just a day prior, the Senate Then-Tropical Storm Dorian strength- nor - otherwise he would resign. Protests of Puerto Rico filed a legal complaint to ened into a Category 1 Hurricane as it continued, shifting their aim to call for the Puerto Rico Supreme Court seeking made its way through the Caribbean, the resignation of Pierluisi. injuction as, according to the Consti- moving at intense winds of up to 73mph tution of Puerto Rico, Pierluisi had to and bringing about 4-6 inches of rainfall. occupy position of Secretary of State Puerto Rico ultimately missed majority with the entire advice and consent of the of the damage Dorian wrecked to other island’s legislative bodies before Rosselló’s islands, sparing territories still recovering resignation. Pierluisi refused to attend a from Hurricane Maria. Cars, homes and Senate hearing meant to discuss his ap- gravestones in Humacao, an eastern-coast pontment as the island’s secretary of state municipality of Puerto Rico, became - prompting Rivera Schatz to go to court. halfway submerged after a river burst its The hearing was ultimately canceled by banks as a result of Dorian. Thus far, one Rivera Schatz after hearing of Pierluisi’s fatality is confirmed after Dorian swiped refusal to attend. the island.

2019 2019 2019

8/4/2019 8/5/2019 Centro releases the fourth season of The Trump administration placed new “Puerto Rican Voices - TV Show “. The restrictions on billions of dollars in great efforts of Puerto Ricans towards federal disaster aid for Puerto Rico. The the reconstruction and rebuilding of decision imposed new safeguards on Puerto Rico have not ceased. Two years about $8.3billion in Housing and Urban since Hurricane Maria, there is still Development disaster mitigation funding much work to be done. Puerto Rican to Puerto Rico. Voices’ fourth season—“Rebuild Puerto Rico”— shows these efforts to connect 8/8/2019 the Puerto Rican diaspora with organi- Puerto Rican Supreme Court justices 12/28/2019 - 12/29/2019 zations in Puerto Rico. overturned Pierluisi’s appointment, On December 28th, 2019, a 4.7 magni- kicking him out of office and leaving the tude earthquake hits Puerto Rico south- island temporarily leaderless. Despite re- west of Guánica and another 5.0 magni- peatedly stating her lack of desire for the tude earthquake occured on the following job, Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez was day, December 29, 2019. sworn in by the end of the day to fill in the position of governor of Puerto Rico.

8/11/2019 Wanda Vázquez announced she is sus- pending a pending $450,000 contract that is part of the program to rebuild and strengthen the island’s power grid.

6 1/6/2020 - 1/ 16/2020 WIth a start of a new year came many TIMELINE earthquakes along with it. On January 6, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake occured 1/ 16/2020 once again in the south of Guánica. A major disaster declaration (FEMA- The following day, on Janaury 7th, four 1/27/2020 - 2/14/2020 4473-DR-PR) was approved by President earthquakes with a magnitude over 5.0 Trump for Puerto Rico for earthquakes On January 27th, a second round of occurred in the southwest region of between the period of December 28th “opened schools” was announced and Puerto Rico. The first and most damag- and continues to this day. Federal funding an additional 51 schools were added to ing earthquake had a magnitude of 6.4 was available to Guánica, Guayanilla, the list of 177, with a grand total of 228 earthquake occurred near Barrio Indios, Peñuelas, Ponce, Utuado, and Yauco. operating schools in Puerto Rico. At least Guayanilla followed by a 5.6 magnitude, 20% of the Island’s schools were fully op- 5.0 magnitude, and 5.6 magnitude. Three erational. By February 2nd, a third round days later, on January 10th, another 5.2 1/18/2019 of ‘opened schools’ was announced and magnitude earthquake occurred in south- A FEMA warehouse with unused disaster an additional 103 schools were added to ern Puerto Rico followed by four more relief aid was discovered in Ponce. Hours the list of 337, with a grand total of 440 earthquakes ranging from 5.2 magnitude after the released viral footage of the schools operating in Puerto Rico. Within to 6.0 up until January 16, 2020. unused disaster relief aid was discovered, a week, a grand total of 627 schools were the governor of Puerto Rico “fired the operating in Puerto Rico and by February US territory’s emergency management 14th, at least 88% of the Island’s schools director and two high-ranking officials.” were fully operating, at a grand total of The discovery of the unused disaster relief 756 operational schools. aid provoked angry residents to break into the facility and begin distributing it to people in need themselves.”

2020 2020 2020

1/7/2020 1/17/2020 2/6/2020 The Governor of Puerto Rico, Wanda Based on the school inspections and eva- An additional 9 municipalities that Vázquez Garced, declared a state of lautions of the severity of damage caused were affected by the earthquakes in the emergency after a series of earthquakes by the earthquakes, a total of 224 schools southwest region have been designated as killed at least one person, toppled were eligible to operate in Puerto Rico. eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance buildings and knocked out power to Program and they include: Arecibo, Cia- nearly the entire island of more than 3 1/22/2020 les, Hormigueros, Juana Díaz, Las Marías, million people. (US News) Mayagüez, Morovis, Orocovis and Sabana FEMA extended eligibility for Individ- Grande under the January 16 presidential ual Assistance to Adjuntas, Cabo Rojo, disaster declaration. 1/8/2020 Corozal, Jayuya, Lajas, Lares, Maricao, At least 50 engineers began to inspect San German, San Sebastian, and Villalba. 2/16/2020 and evaluate school buildings for House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer damage caused by the sequence of 1/24/2020 (D-MD), Chairwoman of the House of earthquakes. The Governor Wanda Vázquez announced Committee on Small Business Nydia M the federal department of Education 1/13/2020 Velázquez, Chairwoman of the House granted an extension for the use of funds Oversight and Reform Committee Car- The number of refugees in Puerto Rico, for immediate aid for the recovery of olyn B. Maloney, and Congresswoman due to the earthquakes, continues to schools to the Department of Education Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (all D-NY) rise and is now close to 5,000 as the of Puerto Rico. This includes a total man- visited Puerto Rico. authorities organize base camps to offer agement of $589 million of federal funds better care to citizens, many of whom to be extended until August 2021. 3/8/2020 evicted their homes due to the damage Government activates protocol for sus- suffered. pected case of coronavirus in Puerto Rico.

7 TIMELINE

9/16/2020 8/22/2020 Rear Admiral Peter Brown, the represen- 3/16/2020 As it passed through the island, Tropical tative of the White House for the recon- Storm Laura caused an accumulation The Governor of Puerto Rico sets a struction of Puerto Rico, returned to the of rainfall of more than six inches in curfew due to the Coronavirus. The Island to meet with Governor Wanda the Ciales area and a strong 75-mile- Governor closes schools and non-essential Vázquez Garced. per-hour gust in Salinas, reported the businesses and orders the people of Puerto National Meteorological Service (SNM). Rico to stay “at home 24/7.” 9/16/2020 Puerto Rico reported on that September 5/2/2020 16th was its highest single-day death A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck 4 count—19 people—since the start of the miles from the south of Tallaboa, Puerto COVID-19 pandemic. Another record set Rico. is the total number of deaths in one week: 70 people. Altogether, the island has reached 588 deaths among its confirmed 7/15/2020 38,284 positive novel coronavirus cases As of July 15, 2020, travel to Puerto Rico so far. is restricted. Visitors have to meet certain requirements to travel to Puerto Rico 9/18/2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Trump Administration announces release of $13 billion in withheld recovery aid to Puerto Rico.

2020 2020 2020

7/26/2020 9/9/2020 Thousands in Puerto Rico are still with- Puerto Rico continues to deal with the out housing three years after Hurricane effects nearly three years later after Hurri- Maria tore through the US territory. cane Maria desrtuctively passed through. Day-long power outages still happen from 7/30/2020 time to time, especially in rural areas. Tropical Storm Isaias battered Puerto Some homes still have tarps instead of Rico as it continued on a forecast track roofs. Collapsed utility poles and uproot- toward the U.S. East Coast, unleashing ed trees are common. small landslides and causing widespread flooding and power outages on an 9/9/2020 island still recovering from previous George Washington University will deep- hurricanes and earthquakes. en its study on the 2,975 deaths caused by Hurricane María in Puerto Rico.

9/16/2020 Three years after Hurricane Maria, of the $20 billion allocated to HUD’s Commu- nity Development Fund, only $96 million have been spent or outlayed (actual disbursements).

8 POST HURRICANE MARIA EXODUS: THREE YEARS AFTER

According to the 2019 U.S. Census Bureau’s Population ccording to the recently released 2019 American Estimates, the island’s population declined by 4%, from A 3.3 million in 2017 to 3.1 million in 2019. The abso- Community Survey (1-year estimates), a total of 66,021 residents relocated to the U.S. mainland and 31,144 lute population decline reported by U.S. Census Bureau returned to Puerto Rico for a net migration of 34,877 was 129,848 in Puerto Rico immediately following the people. By comparison, in 2018, the year after Hurricane storm—a number that mirrors net migration that year. In Maria made landfall on the island, 133,451 residents of the addition, since Hurricane Maria, migration among families island relocated to the United States and 20,900 returned with children intensified. The exodus of younger popu- to Puerto Rico for a net migration of 112,551. Taken lations has shifted the island’s demographic structure to together, the post Hurricane Maria exodus represents one be more skewed toward the elderly. Population decline in of the most significant movements of Puerto Ricans to Puerto Rico has led to a series of social, economic, and de- the U.S. mainland in the island’s history in terms of both mographic impacts, such as increasing the vacancy housing volume and duration. What is most significant about the units, lower growth rates in child population, and school 2019 data from the 2019 American Community Survey closures throughout the Island. (1-year estimates) is that migration numbers were lower than ‘pre-Hurricane Maria’ levels. Figure 1 illustrates the net migration estimates between 2005 and 2019 based on observable available data from the As we have learned during the post-Hurricane Maria peri- U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates (1991 to 2019) od, measuring population movement in real time contin- and American Community Survey and the Puerto Rican ues to be a major undertaking that presents various meth- Community Survey (2005 to 2019), U.S. Bureau of Trans- odological challenges, especially after a natural disaster like portation Statistics, from the Center for Disease Control’s Hurricane Maria. The need for migration estimates drew National Vital Statistics (1941-2018). This historical data attention in states that experienced an influx of Hurricane illustrates the magnitude of the post economic crisis exodus Maria evacuees, which included both states of traditional in comparison to the Great Migration period of the 1950s. Puerto Rican settlement as well as those in which Puerto In comparison, the New Millennium migration is already Rican settlement are relatively recent. deeper and more prolonged than any period in Puerto Rico’s post-war history. And, it is likely to continue until job creation and the Puerto Rico economy turns around. Figure 1. Estimated Migration Flows from Puerto Rico to the U.S., 1941-2019

Source: 1941-2018 Department of Health and U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates; 1991-2019 U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics; 2005 and 2019 American Community Survey. PBE: Population Balance Equation- using data from the Puerto Rico Department of Health and the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates. NMP: Net Movement of Passengers, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. ACS: Data from the American Community Survey of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.

9 However, these methods and data are not readily condu- Since Hurricane Maria struck the island, a massive out-mi- cive to estimate Puerto Rican migration in the short-term. gration in a short-period of time occurred. However, it is methods and data are not readily conducive to estimate clear from this graphic that long-term migration trends are Puerto Rican migration in the short-term. expected to continue the trajectory of the ‘economic crisis period.’ Figure 2 offers a birds’ eye view of population trends: Puerto Rico’s population continues to decline, even if slightly, while Puerto Ricans in the U.S. continue to grow.

Figure 2. Puerto Rican Population in Puerto Rico and the United States

Source: American Community Survey, Various Years

Impact on Stateside Puerto Rican Communities the Puerto Rican population in the United States is also faster The Puerto Rican population in the U.S. grew by 37,000 than the growth rate in Puerto Rico, which did not change people between 2018 and 2019; a modest rate of 0.6 percent appreciably (about 1,400 fewer residents) between 2018 growth in a one-year span. This population rate is nevertheless (3,064,018) and 2019 (3,038,919). In fact, 2019 may be the twice that of the U.S. population as a whole (0.3%), albeit year in which the population loss trend Puerto Rico has been half the rate of growth of the Hispanic population as a whole experiencing for more than a decade stabilizes or revers- (1.3%). The rate of growth of the Puerto Rican population in es. Results from the 2020 census will serve to confirm this the United States is similar to that of the non-Hispanic black observation. According to the most recent 2019 American population (0.7%), but much faster than the rate of growth Community Survey (1-year estimates), the Puerto Rican pop- of the non-Hispanic white population, which continues to ulation grew modestly, 37,000 people to 5.8 million, a growth decline (-0.1%). These figures keep track with long-term pop- rate of 0.6 percent between 2018 and 2019. Migration from ulation trends in the country (see table 1). The growth of the island, along with natural growth of the population in the

Table 1. United States Population & Puerto Rico by Major Ethnic Groups, 2017-2019

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2017 - 2019 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

10 United States (greater birth than deaths), is a contributing fac- the affected areas are observed in following years as the local tor to the stateside Puerto Rican population growth in 2019. economy recovers. These data are based on recently released one-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey As shown in table 3, at least 71% of migrants from Puerto for the year 2019. Rico relocated to the top 10 states that already contained the most Puerto Ricans in the U.S., which include both states By States of traditional and areas of relatively more recent settlement. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2019, Florida The remaining 29% of migrants from the island dispersed had the largest concentration of Puerto Ricans in the Unit- throughout the U.S. As shown in table 4, Florida (14,657) ed States (1,190,981), followed by New York (1,096,823), followed by Texas (9,352), Connecticut (4,280), Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (493,255), New Jersey (455,615), Massachusetts (4,028), Massachusetts (3,043), New Jersey (3,036), Ohio (340,893), Connecticut (302,027), Texas (239,157), Cal- (2,695), North Carolina (1,986), Georgia (1,906), and Vir- ifornia (226,314), Illinois (207,109), and Ohio (130,700) ginia (1,896) are among the top 10 states to receive the most in 2019. As shown in table 4, New York (+26,752), Texas migrants from Puerto Rico in 2019. (+24,392), Pennsylvania (+15,943), and Massachusetts (+11,180) showed the largest increase between 2018 and In conclusion, three years since Hurricane Maria swept 2019. While Connecticut (+4,021), Florida (+3,454), and through Puerto Rico, the post-Hurricane Maria exodus con- Illinois (+566) showed modest growth. On the other hand, tinues to change the prevailing narrative of the Puerto Rican New Jersey showed the largest Puerto Rican population loss, migration. For the island, the migration exodus reinforces a from 488,181 in 2018 to 455,615 in 2019, a -7 percent pattern of depopulation that has induced austerity and the change or 32,566 fewer Puerto Rican residents in the Garden decline in government services and employment, the closing State. California (-6,404) and Ohio (-424) also showed Puer- of schools, increased poverty among the most disadvantaged to Rican population decline from 2018 to 2019 (see table 2). such as families with children and the elderly, among other unfolding consequences of sudden population losses. Those More than half of the growth of the Puerto Rican population that relocate have the challenge of finding jobs, housing, med- in the U.S. in 2018 was attributed to the massive exodus of ical services, and schools. This recent exodus represents one after Hurricane Maria. However, the 2019 American Com- of the most significant historical movements of Puerto Ricans munity Survey reports that 66,021 migrants from Puerto Rico to the U.S. in terms of both volume and duration. The 2019 relocated throughout the U.S. and 31,144 returned to Puerto data suggest that the post Hurricane Maria exodus is slowing Rico for a net emigration of 34,877 people. This is lower down. Yet, we will have to wait for the 2020 data to ascer- compared to 2018, whereby migration from Puerto Rico tain whether the earthquakes and the pandemic are inducing was 133,451 and 20,900 returned to Puerto Rico with a net further depopulation of the island. migration of 112,551. In part, significant reverse migration and outmigration are explained by labor market conditions in Puerto Rico relative to the United States. In addition, in other jurisdiction devastated by natural disasters return migration to

Table 2. Puerto Rican Population by States, 2018-2019 Table 3. Migration from Puerto Rico to the Top 10 States, 2019

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 - 2019 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates.

11 EARTHQUAKE & PANDEMIC WEBINARS

Meeting of CDCs from the U.S. and Puerto Rico: Centro remains a willing convener of those collective Centro convened more than 20 community development efforts and initiatives that served first to provide relief in -re organizations from Puerto Rico and the U.S. in a dialogue sponse to the destruction wrought by hurricanes Irma and to share best practices and explore opportunities to collab- María, and then for the recovery and reconstruction of the orate. Centro also organized visits of U.S. based CDCs to island. As a result, Centro created a Rebuild Puerto Rico several municipalities and projects throughout Puerto Rico Initiative. The initiative strives to support long-term eco- to learn about the challenges and successes local CDCs nomic recovery in Puerto Rico and assist with the rebuild- encounter. ing efforts post-hurricane Maria. The Rebuild Puerto Rico initiative is in keeping with Centro’s main role to provide Simposio sobre vivienda y desarrollo económico information and analysis to community leadership and comunitario en Puerto Rico: One hundred participants the general public regarding this crucial juncture affecting gathered at Universidad Interamericana in San Juan to take nearly nine million Puerto Ricans, both on the island and part in a one-day symposium for sector professionals to in the United States. learn about community development corporations, hear experiences from organizations working in the rebuild- But the catastrophe caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria ing of the Island and workshops on GIS data and how to has been compounded by additional natural disasters— access USDA rural development funds. the earthquake swarms—and the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Correspondingly, the Rebuild Puerto Rico COVID-19 Webinar Series Initiative Centro extended its efforts to attend to these new This series of webinars focused on responses and inter- life-threatening challenges. As a result, during 2020, Cen- ventions to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in tro has organized major events in Puerto Rico and online Puerto Rico. Centro’s RebuildPR GIS platform gave access oriented to the capacity-building of leaders and communi- to COVID-19 data available on interactive maps that ties and facilitating alliances and cooperation among sector include, among other layers of information, the number of leaders. people infected with COVID-19, the location of hospitals and other medical facilities and relevant layers to the index Capacity-Building Webinars: of social vulnerability. Two webinars titled, Actualización fondos de mitigación de desastres en Puerto Rico, cartas de intención de María y tem- 1. Elegibilidad para apoyo de FEMA durante la crisis del blores 2020, were held in February. Grants, Fundraising, COVID-19. Webinar conducted by Dr. Rafael Torrech and Disaster Management Consultant, Dr. Rafael Torrech San Inocencio focused on available FEMA grants and San Inocencio informed participants on the application assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. process for requesting U.S. government mitigation funds related to the earthquakes in Puerto Rico. Dr. Torrech also 2. COVID-19, Respuestas e intervenciones de salubridad y shared an instructional video and made available a valuable reembolsos federales disponibles – Presentation and dis- toolkit with a manual, letter templates, and supporting ma- cussion of the health field’s responses and interventions terials available to all participants and the public in general, to COVID-19 in Puerto Rico. Update on the reim- in an effort to diversify the pool of applicants that vie for bursement process available through FEMA and the governmental resources to fund their operations. Nonprof- types of activities eligible for the Emergency Disaster it and public organizations and municipalities benefited funding from the information, insights and strategies provided. The equivalent of $513 millions of dollars in letters of intent 3. Oportunidades de financiamiento disponibles para were submitted. organizaciones sin fines de lucroprogramas CDBG-DR y PPP – Discussion of funding opportunities available to

12 nonprofits, from both the COVID Pandemic (PPP) and Centro’s Rebuild Puerto Rico Initiative will continue to Hurricane Maria Recovery Funds (CDBG-DR). provide online capacity-building opportunities throughout the next academic year. 4. Fondos CARES Act para iniciativas en respuesta a COVID-19: CDBG-CV y USDA - The webinar presented the flexibility guidelines for the use of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds of the CARES Act used to support the response to coronavirus; and coronavirus response funds allocated to USDA-Rural Development. Also discussed were the USDA Food and Nutrition Service series of waivers to allow state and local governments to incentivize local supply chains to continue to supply food.

13 IMPACT OF DISASTER MIGRATION ON THE US/DIASPORA

he effects of hurricane Maria are still being felt in that Puerto Ricans in New England generally, and Massa- Puerto Rico as well as in Puerto Rican communi- chusetts specifically, have the highest rates of poverty and ties throughout the United States, three years after lowest household income in the country. Yet, in spite of Tthe storm devastated the island. While Puerto Rico bore great economic disadvantages, the Puerto Rican communi- the overwhelming brunt of the cyclone, its impact was also ty in Holyoke rallied to respond, first, by providing mate- felt in places in the United States in which Puerto Ricans rial assistance to friends, family, and entire communities in have settled. With increase mobility of people across coun- Puerto Rico, and, then, by opening their homes to relatives tries, however, the effects oftemporales are felt not only in and friends displaced in the aftermath of the storm. the communities they directly hit, but also in communities to which residents of those communities turn seeking help. One of the effects of the hurricane was the massive emigra- Hurricane Maria is an example of how a weather event that tion from Puerto Rico. The three months following Maria’s takes place in the Caribbean affects communities not just landfall saw an exodus of people from the island. Centro there, but also far and away. One such place was Holyoke, had calculated that from 104,000 to 121,000 people had in western Massachusetts, one thousand miles away from left Puerto Rico between October 2017 and March 2018 the Caribbean. (six months since the storm), and that for the period of October 2017 to September 2018 (twelve months since The experiences of those displaced to the United States the storm) anywhere between 159,000 and 176,000 had by the hurricane, the relatives who provided them with left the island. Recently, the U.S. Census Bureau revised safe haven in the United States, and the civic and govern- its estimates for emigration from Puerto Rico to show that ment sectors that supported both groups in Holyoke in 133,451 had moved to the United States during calendar the weeks, months, and now years since the storm hit, are year 2018. Participants in the Holyoke study confirmed collected in Anticipated Vulnerabilities: Displacement and these estimates, with the bulk of person displaced by the Migration in the Age of Climate Change, a report jointly hurricane arriving in western Massachusetts between Octo- produced by Centro and El Instituto: the Institute of Lati- ber and December 2017, and with a noticeable increase in na/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies (University returns to the island starting in January 2018. of Connecticut-Storrs). As shown in table 4, the top three reasons for leaving Holyoke is a community with the largest concentration of Puerto Rico for Holyoke were: damaged or uninhabitable Puerto Ricans in the United States; nearly half its pop- homes (25.6%); lack of steady income or employment ulation is of Puerto Rican origin or descent. It is also a (18.6%); and lack of food (18.6%). community with great economic needs given by the fact Table 4. Top Reasons for Leaving Puerto Rico for Holyoke

14 The majority of displaced Puerto Ricans arriving to the Various levels of government encouraged Puerto Ricans City of Holyoke relied on kin networks, that is, family and to leave the island and travel to cities like Holyoke. Some friends who provided support in addressing their needs. Puerto Ricans were persuaded to leave the island and Given the socio-economic standing of Puerto Ricans resid- migrate to Holyoke under the belief that resources awaited ing in Holyoke, we conclude that working-class and Puerto them, or that the city could provide more opportunities Ricans living in or near poverty assumed a disproportion- (e.g., work, housing, health care, etc.) for Puerto Ricans to ate burden in support of displaced Puerto Ricans migrating find relief and start a new life. Most Puerto Ricans made an to the city of Holyoke. individual decision to leave the island. Overall, our analysis found that the Federal government’s Displaced Puerto Ricans residing in the Holyoke and in response to the disaster created by the displacement of Western Massachusetts view the City of Holyoke as a Puerto Ricans was inadequate, and at times exacerbated or resource. created new crisis. Affordable and accessible housing was the primary need of The Puerto Rican local municipal governments were the displaced Puerto Ricans arriving to the City of Holyoke first line of response to the disaster, but their ability to (see table 5). coordinate beyond their jurisdictions was fairly limited and mired by lack of capacity, lack of efficacy, corruption, lack Most respondents found the available sources of support, of preparation, and lack of resources. such as civic organizations, government agencies, churches, and other entities, helpful. However, most respondents Communal solidarity was a key dimension of the positive were unable to distinguish the differences between federal, responses to the disaster in Puerto Rico and in the City of state, and city agencies as well as civic organizations. In Holyoke. A sense of solidarity among Puerto Ricans is a re- many instances, respondents conflated all agencies and source for future responses to a crisis. However, this source organizations as city agencies. Ultimately, however, the of capital may be of limited duration, and dependent on majority of respondents stated that the governments of the existing stock of material resources. Massachusetts and the City of Holyoke provided helpful support. Civic, religious and secular organizations provided substantive, albeit limited, support to Puerto Ricans in the island The majority of displaced Puerto Ricans saw social service and in the United States. agencies as a lifeline in the crisis, perhaps the most important lifeline. A fundamental failure in the response to the crisis was the lack of adequate information and data sharing about the The needs of displaced Puerto Ricans who settled in the needs of displaced/migrant Puerto Ricans. The Federal City of Holyoke or in Western Massachusetts quickly government’s refusal to share substantive information with became similar to those of other Puerto Ricans already the local entities about the Puerto Ricans that they were residing in the area. bringing to the City of Holyoke created obstacles for the response to the crisis. Access to affordable housing became the key to stabilizing displaced Puerto Ricans.

Table 5. Top Needs after Moving from Puerto Rico to Holyoke or elsewhere in Hampden County

15 Displaced Puerto Ricans overwhelmingly indicated that solidarity, collaboration and synergy of civic leaders and lead- Holyoke’s Family Resource Center—Enlace de Familias—pro- ers of agencies who were committed to offering a collective vided the most effective support to their address their needs. response. Extant patterns of cooperation, coordination and Central to the success of this approach was the creation of a communication paved the way for a focused response once central place or resource center that provided access to various the arrival of displaced persons reached unmanageable pro- federal, state and local agencies and resources for an extended portions for any single entity. Insufficient resources before and period of time. This “one-stop-shopping” approach was effec- during the response to the arrival of displaced persons ham- tive and efficient. pered the effective response and assistance of entities recruited or volunteered to provide assistance. In addition, the staff of the Holyoke Family Resource Center understood the cultural dimensions and nuances of displaced The experience of Holyoke with people displaced from Puerto Puerto Ricans arriving in or seeking help in Holyoke. Rico by hurricane Maria show the need for preparation and anticipation at the municipal level; a tall order given the mul- Regular meetings (i.e., conference calls) among responding tiple demands and limited resources municipal government entities to share information, coordinate response and request already experience. The increased frequency and intensity resources were also seen as instrumental in facilitating the of catastrophic weather events in the context of a changing delivery of services under circumstances of great uncertainty climate, whether it is in Puerto Rico or in the United States, and limited surplus of resources. makes it imperative to assess collective efforts that can provide Central to the success of the response to the post-Maria stakeholders with best practices that may be shared and repli- migration of Puerto Ricans to the City of Holyoke was the cated in communities affected by anticipated vulnerabilities.

Table 6. Families Displaced by Natural Forces

16 Our Mission PublicationsPublication The Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter Centro Press enables us to engage in robust College-CUNY is a research institute that is dedicated to the study and interpretation of the New York City, and American Studies. By taking Puerto Rican experience in the United States and that advantage of our vast archival resources and produces and disseminates relevant interdisciplinary connections in the Puerto Rican community, we research. Centro also collects, preserves, and disseminate crucial information about the Puerto provides access to library resources documenting Rican experience and contribution to the political, Puerto Rican history and culture. We seek to link economic, and social cultures of the United States scholarship to social action and policy debates and through the following mediums: to contribute to the betterment of our community and enrichment of Puerto Rican studies • CENTRO Journal - the premier journal of Puerto Rican studies and the place to go for Research contemporary analyses of the Puerto Rican Our research department investigates, documents, experience. and broadens the understanding of the Puerto Rican • experience in the U.S. We heighten the impact of multiple manifestations of Puerto Rican identity the data by sharing it in research-based conferences and culture. and publishing in original publications and refereed • Puerto Rican Voices – videos highlighting the journals. contributions of Puerto Ricans in the U.S.

Library and Archives Data Center The Data Center packages and disseminates the The Centro Library and Archives is the world’s only most current information about Puerto Ricans. This institution solely dedicated to collecting, preserving, and disseminating the story of the stateside Puerto information is provided to present socioeconomic Rican. Our collections include audio and video oral and demographic portraits of the Puerto Rican histories, photographs, original works by prominent population. The purpose is to provide basic writers and artists, papers of elected officials, early descriptive information to scholars, policy makers records of major community organizations, and other and the public in general. The sources for this primary materials available nowhere else. A major information are publically available repositories, strength of the Library collection is the history of such as the U.S. Census Bureau. Puerto Ricans in the United States, particularly in New York and the Northeast region, and also in all Events the areas of the humanities, the social sciences and Centro events look into our past, portray our the arts. present and explore our future, with lectures, panel discussions, performances, art exhibits and more. Education We support and expand the area of Puerto Rican The series Puerto Rico, Puerto Ricans conferences Studies by offering opportunities for students bring together stateside Puerto Ricans to gain a and educators. Our broader understanding of how the economic and educates our young people to be ambassadors of humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico have affected our rich history. For more information: those stateside. centropr.nationbuilder.com/ambassador

Centropr.nationbuilder.com Visit us on the web at: https://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu @centropr