(09-26-2017 08:57 AM)Hood-rich Wrote:  (Texas + Florida) > Puerto Rico

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Not really, both are attached to the mainland and even with all of their issues, supplies can reach people devastated by the storm. Puerto Rico is an island basically cut off from the world. And supplies can only get in via boat, though I suppose some planes can get in.

Luckily, this should drive half of the island to come to the mainland. New York, New Jersey, Miami should see a high flux of islanders soon.

Well the ports are open, but things are pretty tough. Water getting tough to find. Roads are washed out.

I am curious as to whether or not aircraft has flown over the island dropping supplies. If not, that's a major fail by all parties involved.

(09-27-2017 05:14 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  The idea that the "Jones Act" is keeping supplies from PR is ludicrous, ridiculous, and a deflection from the point that there is debris in water impeding shipping, there is no power at the ports to power the cranes to unload supplies, and there is damaged infrastructure keeping supplies from being delivered.

But instead, the far-left terrorist organization Sea Shepard blames Trump.

Land your stupid-ass Batman boat on the beach and unload supplies, Captain Wilson. You know damn well no one is going to stop you. What your press release is saying is that you value the public relations of blaming racist-sexist-classist-ableist-cisgenderist-NaziHaliburton-who-is-literally-Hitler Trump over actually helping the citizen of Puerto Rico.


F U and the whale you ran over trying to get press, Sea Shepard

Idiots will blame Russia next and kneel at wal mart

(09-26-2017 10:30 AM)q5sys Wrote:  Why is it when a disaster strikes anywhere else in the world the US responds with millions and millions in aide to help these areas... but when the US is hit why does no one else pitch in to help us?

Kinda makes you think...

You mean like in 2005 when Sri Lanka, devastated by the tsumani a few months earlier, sent money to aid Hurricane Katrina victims? Why would other countries need to send help? We've got a ton of resources, Puerto Rico is only a hop, skip and jump from the mainland and oh yeah, other countries have territory that was devastated. I'm sure the Netherlands, Britain and France have their own priorities and rebuilding projects in the Caribbean.

Mexico gave Texas some supplies when we were hit by Harvey. They were going to send more but then the two earthquakes in Mexico City kind of grinded things to a halt.

https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2017/0...in-islands

Quote:To aid in life sustaining missions, six FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) task forces are deployed to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and are working in tandem with numerous federal partners to rescue and render aid to distressed survivors in the region. Additional FEMA US&R task forces are arriving today to expand operations, as areas become accessible. FEMA US&R task forces currently conducting operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands include Virginia Task Forces 1 and 2, Florida Task Forces 1 and 2, and California Task Forces 6 and 7. Components of New York Task Force 1 and Massachusetts Task Force 1 are on the ground providing logistics support.

Federal partners assisting with Search and Rescue (SAR) missions include the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and the U.S. Department of the Interior / National Park Service.

Collectively, these federal agencies have rescued 180 individuals and searched more than 45 structures in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Quote:The U.S. Coast Guard is operating nine cutters in the vicinity of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, bringing helicopter SAR support, while teams from CBP are operating two P-3 maritime patrol aircraft to assist in communications, a wide-area search, and distress signal monitoring capabilities. An additional five flight deck-equipped cutters, five patrol boats, four rotary wing, and one fixed wing aircraft are moving to the vicinity of U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to further support search and rescue efforts.

While US&R teams continue targeted sweeps of the affected areas, teams from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management are providing security and force protection to rescuers.

Department of Defense support includes helicopter SAR flights, damage assessment flights, beach assessments, and patient evacuation flights flown from the amphibious ships USS Kearsarge and USS Oak Hill and Marines embarked from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Quote:The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the DoD conducted medical evacuations for more than 100 patients from the islands to the continental United States.

The National Guard Bureau (NGB) has more than 2,300 Guard members on the ground in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands taking part in security and support operations. The Air National Guard is focused on transporting food, water, and communications capabilities as well as rapidly increasing airlift into affected areas.

FEMA, working in coordination with federal partners, provided more than 1.5-million meals, 1.1-million liters of water, nearly 300 infant and toddler kits, and nearly 12,000 emergency roofing kits to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico for distribution to the public since Hurricane Maria’s landfall.

But don't let something as insignificant as facts get in the way of a leftist talking point.

(09-27-2017 05:35 PM)Bull_Is_Back Wrote:  

(09-27-2017 08:35 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(09-26-2017 08:23 PM)Bull_Is_Back Wrote:  

(09-26-2017 10:17 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  Every one is clearly aware that getting help to an island is way more complex than a contiguous state. That's not the point.

Right there are a lot of brown people on that island, clearly thats why time is derelict in helping them amiright... I mean he passed a disaster declaration six days ago and asked congress to get something on his desk to help them... But really he's just dragging his feet because $NonWhitePeople.

Quote:It could be just appearances

No tom, it's deliberately trying to sell a narrative despite the facts...

I'm reading today that it will take likely until mid-October to get the needed financial aid to PR. That seem timely to you?

Who's that on? does Trump run the legislature?

I said nothing about trump in regards to this. And we all know clearly that congress controls the purse strings.

(09-27-2017 05:14 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  The idea that the "Jones Act" is keeping supplies from PR is ludicrous, ridiculous, and a deflection from the point that there is debris in water impeding shipping, there is no power at the ports to power the cranes to unload supplies, and there is damaged infrastructure keeping supplies from being delivered.

Link?

(09-27-2017 10:01 PM)_C2_ Wrote:  I am curious as to whether or not aircraft has flown over the island dropping supplies. If not, that's a major fail by all parties involved.

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: Yes, multiple agencies and military services are flying supplies to PR around the clock.

(09-27-2017 10:01 PM)bullet Wrote:  Well the ports are open, but things are pretty tough. Water getting tough to find. Roads are washed out.

From what I've read, yes, the ports are finally open; however, distribution from the ports to the people is still very very slow. Apparently this is due to the lack of truck drivers and, I'd imagine, destroyed infrastructure, etc.

(09-28-2017 08:37 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(09-27-2017 10:01 PM)bullet Wrote:  Well the ports are open, but things are pretty tough. Water getting tough to find. Roads are washed out.

From what I've read, yes, the ports are finally open; however, distribution from the ports to the people is still very very slow. Apparently this is due to the lack of truck drivers and, I'd imagine, destroyed infrastructure, etc.

Shouldn't we have our military (or national guard) down there with helicopters delivering supplies then?

I did read this morning that trump has finally lifted the Jones Act. Good for him to finally see the light.

(09-28-2017 08:40 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(09-28-2017 08:37 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(09-27-2017 10:01 PM)bullet Wrote:  Well the ports are open, but things are pretty tough. Water getting tough to find. Roads are washed out.

From what I've read, yes, the ports are finally open; however, distribution from the ports to the people is still very very slow. Apparently this is due to the lack of truck drivers and, I'd imagine, destroyed infrastructure, etc.

Shouldn't we have our military (or national guard) down there with helicopters delivering supplies then?

I'd imagine they are, in some sort of capacity be it either National Guard, whatever. I know folks just want something to blame Trump for; however, this was a HUGE hurricane that laid a direct hit, and closed ports, It's going to take more than a week or two to get that type recovery operation up and running smoothly.

(09-28-2017 08:43 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(09-28-2017 08:40 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(09-28-2017 08:37 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(09-27-2017 10:01 PM)bullet Wrote:  Well the ports are open, but things are pretty tough. Water getting tough to find. Roads are washed out.

From what I've read, yes, the ports are finally open; however, distribution from the ports to the people is still very very slow. Apparently this is due to the lack of truck drivers and, I'd imagine, destroyed infrastructure, etc.

Shouldn't we have our military (or national guard) down there with helicopters delivering supplies then?

I'd imagine they are, in some sort of capacity be it either National Guard, whatever. I know folks just want something to blame Trump for; however, this was a HUGE hurricane that laid a direct hit, and closed ports, It's going to take more than a week or two to get that type recovery operation up and running smoothly.

Should it continue to worsen, this is in no way a failure on trump's part alone.

(09-28-2017 08:43 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(09-28-2017 08:40 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(09-28-2017 08:37 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(09-27-2017 10:01 PM)bullet Wrote:  Well the ports are open, but things are pretty tough. Water getting tough to find. Roads are washed out.

From what I've read, yes, the ports are finally open; however, distribution from the ports to the people is still very very slow. Apparently this is due to the lack of truck drivers and, I'd imagine, destroyed infrastructure, etc.

Shouldn't we have our military (or national guard) down there with helicopters delivering supplies then?

I'd imagine they are, in some sort of capacity be it either National Guard, whatever. I know folks just want something to blame Trump for; however, this was a HUGE hurricane that laid a direct hit, and closed ports, It's going to take more than a week or two to get that type recovery operation up and running smoothly.

Add in the fact that many of the helicopters that would be used in this type of situation were used during Harvey and Irma and are likely down for maintenance and unavailable. You can only fly an aircraft so many hours before it's got to shut down for maintenance.

(09-28-2017 08:30 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(09-27-2017 05:14 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  The idea that the "Jones Act" is keeping supplies from PR is ludicrous, ridiculous, and a deflection from the point that there is debris in water impeding shipping, there is no power at the ports to power the cranes to unload supplies, and there is damaged infrastructure keeping supplies from being delivered.

Link?

You are are questioning if there is damage after a hurricane?

https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2017/0...astructure

(09-28-2017 08:50 AM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  

(09-28-2017 08:30 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(09-27-2017 05:14 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  The idea that the "Jones Act" is keeping supplies from PR is ludicrous, ridiculous, and a deflection from the point that there is debris in water impeding shipping, there is no power at the ports to power the cranes to unload supplies, and there is damaged infrastructure keeping supplies from being delivered.

Link?

You are are questioning if there is damage after a hurricane?

https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2017/0...astructure

No, I'm questioning whether there is still debris in the water preventing ships from making port in PR.

https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2017/0...astructure

Quote:More than half of dialysis centers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are now open and accessible for patients. More critical care facilities will re-open in the coming days, as power and access are restored. The U.S. Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority drinking water system is back online, and other drinking water systems on the islands are top priority for receiving generators. While progress is being made, there remains much work to do.

Because of the geographic challenges and the severity of damage, restoring electricity to critical facilities and to customers on Puerto Rico will be different from, and more difficult than, any other restoration. Long-term power restoration will involve rebuilding generation, transmission, and distribution capability.

Quote:The USACE also has temporary power response teams on the ground in Puerto Rico. These teams are assessing power needs and installing generators at critical facilities. USACE coordinated transportation of more than 300 FEMA and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) generators from across the U.S. to meet anticipated requirements in the islands. In Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, the USACE teams have completed more than 100 inspections, and 163 assessments have been requested for facilities. Generator installations are underway in both Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Quote:The federal support for fuel transportation includes air and sea logistical support by the Defense Logistics Agency, U.S. Northern Command, the U.S. Navy, and U.S. Coast Guard, in coordination with the private sector. As seaports and airports are being opened, and critical roadways and bridge accesses are evaluated and cleared, emergency power workers and supplies continue to work to address the needs of customers.

Here's an article detailing part of the problem in Puerto Rico

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/a...uerto-rico

Quote:In Puerto Rico, where communications systems are still down after Hurricane Maria ripped across the island on Sept. 20, “it has been a struggle understanding exactly what’s going on,” Hyland said, speaking from inside the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Response Coordination Center in Washington, D.C. The NRCC coordinates federal support for major emergencies.

The transmission system in Puerto Rico has reportedly been flattened, and the distribution system has been described by emergency workers as 90 percent to 100 percent destroyed, he said. And because of communications and other difficulties, there has been no formal request for help from Puerto Rico to the Federal Emergency Management Agency yet, said Hyland.

Fuel is a big concern, because with the power out all over the island, the only electricity is coming from generators, and the generators are running out of fuel, Hyland said.

Right now, Hyland said, it is difficult to pin down exactly what the needs are in Puerto Rico, and it also is difficult to make sure that any mutual aid workers can be sure of the basic things they will need: transportation, housing, food, and security.

“The word of the day is going to be patience,” said Hyland. “We’re going to have to be patient.”

Quote:According to a FEMA intergovernmental advisory, “There are more than 10,000 federal staff on the ground in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands supporting response and recovery operations from Hurricanes Maria and Irma.”

Hyland said that offers of help have been pouring in, but before calling on public power utilities to send crews and equipment, the American Public Power Association is waiting for a complete damage assessment and assistance with necessary arrangements from the federal government.

“There are many logistics to coordinate,” he said. “We need to know where the crews will be housed and if we can ensure their safety and health,” he said, and FEMA must be allowed to focus on life and safety first.