Are Texas, Florida And Puerto Rico Ready For Hurricane Season?
Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc on Puerto Rico last year. With 155-MPH winds and severe flooding, the storm resulted in $100 billion in damage and took more than 4,000 lives, according to a report out of Harvard. Unfortunately, Puerto Rico and other hurricane-prone regions might not be out of the woods yet. According to forecasters, Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico are among the areas that need to take hurricane season precautions in 2018, as well.
What the Meteorologists Say
An article in the Huffington Post reveals that the 2018 hurricane season could be tumultuous. A weak La Nina in the Pacific, coupled with warm waters in the Atlantic, may result in more storms striking the continental U.S., along with Caribbean islands and Central America.
Braniff Davis, a Hurricane Harvey recovery analyst for Houston, is particularly concerned about the effect another storm would have on the area.
“There’s still a sense of Harvey PTSD here; every time we get a minor flooding event (which is just part of life in Houston, let’s be honest) people are afraid of what it means,” he said.
Puerto Rico Hurricane Season Precautions
The need for precautions is particularly crucial in Puerto Rico, which is still struggling to rebuild the infrastructure that was destroyed in 2017. Not only did the storm damage 300,000 houses, but the island suffered electric grid failures, destroyed roads, and bridges. And despite the Puerto Rican governor’s pleas for $95 billion to rebuild, many requests for FEMA aid have been denied.
“Puerto Rico is not ready for another hurricane,” said Telemundo Puerto Rico journalist Ivette Sosa. “We still have blue roofs on hundreds of houses all over the island. We have municipalities that still do not have electricity, and people in those areas are getting desperate.”
With little idea of what the future may hold, Puerto Rico is focusing on new construction that prioritizes durability, sustainability, and mold resistance. Additionally, the island has been building new emergency bridges with the aid of U.S. Bridge.
Contact Us Today
At U.S. Bridge, we specialize in building emergency bridges with prefabricated panels assembled in modules. To learn more about how we’re helping Puerto Rico or what we can do for your city, call today or contact us online.