#aibonito

Aibonito Road, P. R.

video by Janet Molly Colón via Meteorología del Caribe y USA

Kind of a weird, out of character post, but I guess this could be helpful:

I have family in Puerto Rico who I've not heard from in four days. Specifically, in the towns of Ciales and Aibonito. If anyone has any info on what’s going on in those areas, please let me know.

I know the bridges have collapsed in Ciales and that El Río Grande de Manatí crested at about 42 feet. I also know that Aibonito had reported landslides and winds up to 200 mph. At least one member of my family in Aibonito was alive and well as recently as Wednesday morning. Beyond that, I know basically nothing.

For those wondering about the status about the island I got several news! I can mostly write about the condition of Aibonito and other parts, but if you have family in parts not mentioned, hopefully they're as lucky as mine.

Right now they still don't have electricity and water as well as most homes, especially in Aibonito are gone or suffer from heavy damage. The hospitals, even though they had to take refugee in schools near by, are running. Tomorrow some lines in the Airports are going to open for those needing to leave the island. If you have someone in PR and is able to communicate, the flights are as low as 75USD! Its also possible that the postal offices will open and if anyone you know has an account with Oriental, the bank will also open its services tomorrow as well!

As for the conditions, a lot of phone and powerlines are either destroyed or are no longer there (Puerto Ricos power/phone lines are above ground). As mentioned, a lot of houses are gone mostly in Aibonito. Aibonito is also #1 in priority for those affected being the city that took the FULL blow of Maria. San Juan apparently has water and light in some parts. If your family has a contract with Claro, it's possible to get signal!

All this information was given to me by my mother whom lives in Aibonito and witnessed the aftermath of the island. In her words she stated "Puerto Rico looks like its been hit by an atomic bomb without the radiation. Trees are in several positions and some areas look like it was burned by how intense the winds where. This is worse than George (Cat 3 Hurricane; 1995)" Surprisingly, our wooden cabin, which was also around during George, took no damage, suffered little to no leakage and stood strong against all odds. Even the cement house that also belongs to the family suffered. My cat, Kookie was actually inside the cabin so I joked around saying she's the reason why the house looks like new, joking how she can't let her castle fall.

Jokes aside, people are helping eachother, como panas♡ El espirito del borriqua todavia esta ahí.

I have no idea how long Puerto Rico will be in darkness or when the island will recover, but if you have family, friends, or just want to help, make care packages containing water, canned food, first aid, etc.! If the post office does open tomorrow, make sure to send these off to those in need ✌

If you wish to help out check out if you wish to donate - https://www.unicefusa.org/donate/support-unicef-usas-hurricane-relief-efforts-puerto-rico/32952?utm_campaign=2017_misc&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=0178/2/_Google&utm_content=maria&ms=cpc_dig_2017_misc_0178/2/_Google_maria&initialms=cpc_dig_2017_misc_0178/2/_Google_maria

How to get free supplies for care packages. Even though this is for the military, it works for PR! -

http://www.military.com/discounts/how-to-get-free-supplies-to-ship-care-packages.html

Healty food ideas to send -

Aibonito Road, P. R.