Four months after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, FEMA analysis showed that only 1 percent of island residents still rely on emergency food and water to survive. So the federal agency plans to “shut off” those supplies on Jan. 31, 2018.
But U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) said nearly a third of residents still don’t even have electricity and denounced FEMA's plan on the Senate floor, calling it “unconscionable” and a “travesty.”
“I urge the administration to reverse this disastrous decision immediately and to continue providing the people of Puerto Rico with the help that they need as they are trying to recover from two disastrous hurricanes,” Nelson said.
Nelson said he was joined by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) in calling for the administration reverse its decision.
“I don't want to mince words here. We have a full-blown humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico right now,” Nelson said.
It's estimated that 300,000 Puerto Ricans have moved to Florida to flee the ravaged island. In his speech to the senate, Nelson also said Florida needs funding to help provide them housing and education.
And Nelson also provided a long list of Florida’s needs following hurricane season including assistance needed for citrus growers.
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