Hurricane Maria: An Unforgettable Experience

Hurricane Maria left us marked forever. In this work you will be able to observe some of the damage caused by this atmospheric phenomenon. Also, you will see how our people helped each other and tried to continue their daily lives despite all obstacles.

  September 20, 2017, was the worst nightmare that Puerto Rico faced. It was one of the most devastating natural disasters in its history, Hurricane Maria. I found myself during this catastrophic event, and it was an experience that I will never forget. Hurricane María lasted in Puerto Rico for over 48 hours.

  Before Hurricane Maria struck, there was a growing sense of unease and apprehension among the people of Puerto Rico. The news reports were filled with warnings, and the government issued evacuation orders for those in vulnerable areas. In the days leading up to the hurricane, there was a frantic rush to prepare – buying supplies, boarding up windows, and securing homes.

    The day Hurricane Maria made landfall was a terrifying experience. The winds howled, rain poured incessantly, and the entire island seemed to be shaking. Power lines snapped, trees uprooted, and buildings crumbled. As the hurricane raged on, like many others, I was taking out the water that was coming in through the back door with a bucket and throwing it into the bathtub, mopping, and finally throwing all the towels and clothes I could find to create a barrier at the door. Which didn't help much, but it controlled the water flow a little. Also, I prayed for safety and hoped for the storm to pass quickly.

     María dropped 15 to 20 inches of rain in most areas, even higher amounts in some spot areas. Most of the rivers in Puerto Rico reached a major flood stage, while others exceeded record flood stage. Maria was a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 155 mph (249 km/h), that impacted Puerto Rico. More than 3 million American citizens, were without electricity, nearly the entire population of Puerto Rico. I was almost 8 months without power and 3 months without water.

      The aftermath of the hurricane was a harrowing experience. The destruction was widespread, and Puerto Rico was plunged into darkness as the power grid was devastated. Basic necessities like clean water, food, and medical supplies became scarce. Also, there was no way to go out of the neighborhood, the streets were blocked with trees, metals, and anything that was flying during the event and landed there. However, it was in these difficult times that the resilience and unity of the Puerto Rican people shone through. Neighbors helped one another, communities came together to share resources, and people supported those in need. We lost a lot of good people, there were 4,645 who died because of María, and the government didn’t want to assume responsibility for these deaths.     

   In the weeks and months that followed, life in Puerto Rico drastically changed. Without power, people relied on generators and solar panels for electricity. The lack of clean water necessitated creative solutions, such as rainwater harvesting and community filtration systems. Communication became challenging as cell towers were down, and many faced difficulties reaching loved ones. Recovery efforts are slow and challenging. Puerto Ricans showed remarkable resilience, rebuilding their lives amidst adversity.

  My experience during Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico was one of survival, solidarity, and resilience. It was a stark reminder of the power of nature and the strength of the human spirit. While the scars of that devastating hurricane will forever be etched in my memory, they also remind me of the indomitable will of the people of Puerto Rico who, despite facing such a tremendous calamity, stood strong and united.