In war against Hurricane Maria, 7 steps to win for Puerto Rico
Earlier this week, I traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where I was joined by state Rep. Robert Asencio to deliver a cargo plane filled with 7,000 pounds of necessary supplies collected by a number of community groups based in South Florida. Though it was only a small fraction of the supplies that will be needed, Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz was grateful — to the point of tears — that anyone had come to her city’s aid.
The devastation I witnessed on the island is heartbreaking. Nearly half of Puerto Ricans, 1.5 million of our fellow Americans, are currently without drinking water. Most of the island will be without electricity for months.
In the wake of this destruction, I call upon our federal government to immediately declare war on Hurricane Maria. Our territory has been attacked by Mother Nature, and fellow Americans’ lives hang in the balance.
How do you declare war against a natural disaster? Treat it like any other war — create a plan, execute using any and all resources at your disposal, and get the job done.
After Hurricane Maria hit, it has taken a full eight days and bipartisan outcry for this administration to finally waive the Jones Act — an antiquated maritime law that makes it difficult for cargo ships to transport goods in a time of emergency. Here in Florida, the Jones Act was waived before Hurricane Irma even made landfall.
FEMA is an incredible organization, with a capable staff working tirelessly to restore the hardest hit areas around our country (most recently in Houston and in the Florida Keys). I know that they are doing everything within their power to help the people of Puerto Rico. But, leadership starts from the top. The speed of the leader determines the rate of the pack. Where is the fighting spirit of just getting it done? Sadly, leaders in Puerto Rico continue to only hear excuses.
It’s quite simple. When it comes to saving people’s lives and stabilizing a community, Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré said it best on CNN this week: “Break the damn rules.”
After being on the ground for a day with Mayor Yulín Cruz, a few suggestions on what the federal government can do to treat this recovery effort more aggressively include:
Appoint retired generals/ admirals to oversee the recovery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Appoint an emergency tourism director to work with cruise lines and hotels.
Extend the waiver of the Jones Act beyond 10 days.
Land on beaches where roads are unpassable or damaged.
Use drones or any means available as “medical paratroopers” to airdrop supplies to remote regions.
Utilize and deploy the latest portable solar-energy generators.
Harness states that are able to help, especially those in close proximity (for example, Florida and Georgia).
Quite frankly, too much time has already been wasted, and the time for talking was yesterday. The time to act is now. As Mayor Cruz said, “We need to be less preoccupied and more occupied.”
As some in Washington rested on their laurels as the crisis in Puerto Rico deepened, everyday Americans and the private sector have stepped up in their absence, lending their planes, ships, cruises and supplies to get the job done. But more will be needed. The federal government must step up too. For the people of Puerto Rico, this is not a holiday; this is D-Day.
In this war on Hurricane Maria, there are many lives at stake. To paraphrase Churchill: It is a war that we must fight on the seas and oceans, in the air and on the beaches — and we shall never surrender until we get the job done and Puerto Rico rises again.