Hurricane Georges in the Fall of 1998 was extremely damaging to Puerto Rico and neighboring islands. Just in Puerto Rico alone, over $2 billion in damage and 8 lives were lost due to the storm and it was mostly due to the prior preparation and planning of the governor and the US National Guard that kept the loss of life as long as it was. Three tornadoes were reported and rains up to 30 inches were recorded. 96% of the electrical grid and 75% of the water and sewer system was knocked out. Over 28,000 homes were destroyed and more than 50% of the islands crops were gone. Luckily, aid was quick to arrive. The Church World Service, FEMA, the US Army Corps of Engineers and even NY Yankee's manager George Steinbrenner sent tons of supplies, prefab buildings, money and other much-needed supplies. The photos Maria provided us below give a small glimpse into the damage and destruction Hurricane Georges caused for the island of Puerto Rico. |
