Department of Homeland Security

Federal Emergency Management Agency Region II

Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico

Alejandro De La Campa FEMA Caribbean Area Division Director

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June 17, 2003

FEMA Caribbean Area Division (CAD)  Established in 1991, the mission of the Caribbean Area Division is to implement and coordinate all emergency management programs in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands  The CAD functions as a satellite office for Region II in San Juan, Puerto Rico, providing a permanent FEMA presence in an area which is vulnerable to recurrent hurricanes and flooding, and located within a major earthquake risk zone  The Region II CAD has responded to, recovered from and mitigated against 34 emergencies and major disaster declarations in the last 28 years, providing more than $3.5 billions in federal funds.

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June 17, 2003

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Risks in the Caribbean  Hurricanes – some of the largest hurricanes to affect the Caribbean also struck the mainland: Hugo, Marilyn, Georges, Jeanne.  Floods – weather in the Caribbean is unpredictable, some disaster declarations were caused by unannounced events.  Earthquakes & Tsunamis – PR and the USVI have a long history of both; last earthquake to create a Tsunami was 1918 in west PR. 

Landslides – In 1985, a landslide in Mameyes Ponce, Puerto Rico, buried 129 people (the greatest number of casualties from any single landslide in North America, USGS).

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June 17, 2003

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PR Current Challenges

From an emergency management perspective:  Isolation from the mainland generates unique logistical considerations for the jurisdiction  Based on the 2010 Census, the estimated population of PR is 3.5 million

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Close to 1.3 million people live in coastal areas

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320,027 people live in flood-prone areas

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High number of residences constructed without a building code

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June 17, 2003

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Hurricane Georges Puerto Rico 1998

 65,000 damaged rooftops  29 thousand people in 426 shelters  99% of PREPA’s customers without power; 77.2% of PRASA’s customers without water  3 million cubic yards of debris removal  $1.3 billion in claims paid by insurance policies  $497.9 million granted to survivors for housing and other needs  Distribution of 8.5 million gallons of drinking water  $416 million for the Island critical infrastructure / $219.3 million in mitigation

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June 17, 2003

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PR Metropolitan Underground Loop  Largest underground project in the Nation  115 kV transmission line, extends 30 miles  Connects transmission centers and distribution lines of the PR Electric Power Authority with main power and transmission plants in the metro area  HMGP Hurricane Georges 1998 - Total Cost: $114,466,000

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June 17, 2003

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New Secure Home Mitigation Project  Relocation of over 1,400 families from hazards prone zones  HMGP Hurricane Georges 1998 - Total Cost: $165.3M

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June 17, 2003

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Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Priorities 1. Power  

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Waste Water Treatment Plants Generators

5. Transportation

 Distribution and Installation  Maintenance  Refueling

6. Mass Care

Power Grid Repair

2. Debris/Route Clearance 3. Public Health  

4. Water restoration

Hospitals Assisted living facilities

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Commodity Distribution Plan  Federal to RSAs  Dual Status Commander-RSAs forward

7. Communications Island Wide 8. Housing

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June 17, 2003

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Hurricane Maria Commodities Water Potable Water

5.2 million gallons

Bottled Water

31.8 million liters Meals

Total Meals Delivered

24.2 million

Power Generators Generators Installed Assessments Completed Generators Installs in Progress

385 785 34

Temporary Roofing Tarps

65,224 Blue Roof Mission

Rights of Entry

20,886

Installed

4,739

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June 17, 2003

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Hurricane Maria Housing, Public Assistance, and Small Business Administration Individual and Households Program Total Registrations Total Dollars Approved

1,032,093 $123,226,943

Public Assistance Total Dollars Approved

$411,852,200

Small Business Administration

Number of Federal Civilian Employees and Military Personnel FEMA Only 2,090 Department of Defense 13,042 Surge Force 629 TOTAL Deployed 15,761

Applications Received

2,876

Total Dollars Approved

$6.5 million

Fuel dispensed Diesel

4.8 million Gallons

Gasoline

378,000 Gallons

*Mission Assignments: $3,787,935,915

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June 17, 2003

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Engagement with 78 Mayors 

Conducted nine (9) sessions with the Mayors of Puerto Rico

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Enhance municipal needs awareness

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Ensure open communication among municipal, state and federal coordinating partners

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June 17, 2003

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Public Assistance Program

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Provides supplemental assistance to state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for response and recovery in a Presidentially declared disaster or emergency.

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June 17, 2003

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Types of Public Assistance 1

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Applicant identifies and reports all damage

Develop project Scope of Work and costs

FEMA and Recipient conduct Exit Briefing

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June 17, 2003

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Eligible Applicants 

State Government Agencies

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Municipal Governments

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Private Non-Profit (PNP) organizations that own or operate facilities that provide certain services of a governmental nature are eligible for assistance.

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June 17, 2003

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General Types of Work

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June 17, 2003

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Hazard Mitigation Program

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Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. In order for mitigation to be effective we need to take action now - before the next disaster - to reduce human and financial consequences later (analyzing risk, reducing risk, and insuring against risk).

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June 17, 2003

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Residential Performance – wood framed 

Permitted Home – No damage  Wood frame construction at hilltop location  Clips and straps provided continuous load path

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Unpermitted Home    

Lightly built wood frame structure Significant structural damage Loss of roof system Roof covering was light metal panel with no structural deck

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June 17, 2003

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Residential Performance – Concrete  Elevated home – Punta Santiago  Elevated home did not flood when neighborhood flooded  Several feet of freeboard provided by “full story” elevation

 Well-built hilltop homes in Punta Lima

 Well-built homes  No structural or window damage  Opening protected with pre-cut wood panels (track mounted) Presenter’s Name

June 17, 2003

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Developing a “PR Culture of Resilience” 

Building back safely significantly reduces risk to residents

k safely significantly reduces risk to residents

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Will Require:  Renewed focus on Zoning and Building Codes  Eliminating “informal construction” (no permits)  Increased capability for Building Code enforcement

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June 17, 2003

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Questions?

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June 17, 2003

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