At 150 mph winds, category four hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, wreaking havoc on the infrastructure and safety of the island and its citizens. Three weeks after the tragic hurricane hit, the island is still left in shambles. The island of 3.6 million people are still without power, food, and water. Cell service is minimal, and many are yet to get into contact with family off the island letting them know they’re safe.

Hurricane Maria was the fifth-strongest storm to hit the United States, and the strongest storm the island has received in over eighty years. Although there is no solid estimate of the cost in damages due to an inability to communicate with those on the island along with damaged roads, some estimate the damages to be somewhere between $40 billion and $90 billion. For those without power, it can take about another six months till power is fully restored, which leaves Puerto Rico’s 3.6 million citizens living off of generators for half a year.

Many have reached out to lend a helping hand to those in Puerto Rico and launch relief efforts. FEMA, the military, and first responders are currently in Puerto Rico working hard to reach isolated citizens and bring them essentials that they have no access to such as clean water and food.

Trump visited Puerto Rico two weeks after the hurricane, for a day to visit citizens and hand out some supplies. He has now recently tweeted that he plans to remove humanitarian aid from the island. Trump and the governor of San Juan, Carmen Yulín Cruz, have publicly argue over twitter about the needs of the island. Trump puts partial blame of the island’s plight onto the governor of San Juan, saying that more could have been done before the storm even hit. Cruz fired back against these claims labeling Trump a “hater in office”.

Despite these public social media outbursts, other public officials such as John F. Kelly, who reassured many of those who were panicking that “no federal resources are being withdrawn anytime soon”. Kelly said to the media, in an unannounced visit to the White House, that “Our country will stand with those American citizens in Puerto Rico until the job is done”.

Numerous different celebrities have donated money in large amounts to Puerto Rico, including Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston, Ellen Degeneres, and many more. Lin-Manuel Miranda worked together with numerous well known artists such as Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, and Luis Fonsi. More has been done as well, on October 14th Marc Anthony has teamed up with dozens of artists for a disaster relief concert to benefit not only Puerto Rico, but also Mexico, South Florida, and the Caribbean.

As time proceeds aid citizen aid continues to grow for Puerto Rico disaster relief, Hall High has begun to take part as well. The AP Spanish classes spent a week collecting money from the AP Spanish enrolled students. The two classes were able to raise over $150 in just a week with only 123 students taking the class.

Disaster relief will take a long time and will last years. Having family of my own stuck in Puerto Rico, this hurricane has personally affected me as well. Hope for the revitalization of Puerto Rico is important to me and many of our own Hall High students.

To those affected by hurricane Maria, positive thoughts go out to you and your families.