Puerto Rico Begins the Transition from Response to Recovery

Release date: 

November 27, 2017

Release Number: 

DR-4339-PR NR 060

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – As Puerto Rico begins to transition from the response phase to recovery, Michael Byrne, the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) for Puerto Rico has been named as the Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator (FDRC). Byrne has more than 30 years of experience in disaster management and recovery program execution, including serving as the FDRC for Hurricane Harvey in Texas, and the FCO for Hurricane Sandy in New York and the 2011 Alabama tornadoes.

As the FDRC and FCO, Byrne will work closely with the government of Puerto Rico and federal response leadership to facilitate disaster recovery coordination and collaboration between Puerto Rico, federal and municipal governments, private sector entities, and voluntary, faith-based and community organizations.

Due to the complex recovery challenges of Hurricane Maria, the federal government will leverage all available resources in support of Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts. Areas of focus will include:

• Housing, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to develop adequate, affordable, and accessible housing solutions for Hurricane Maria survivors.
• Infrastructure Systems, coordinated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to efficiently facilitate the restoration of infrastructure systems and services to support viable, sustainable communities and improve resilience to, and protection from, future hazards.
• Economic Recovery, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Commerce, to assist with sustaining or restoring businesses and employment in the affected area, and developing economic opportunities in these communities.
• Health and Social Services, led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to support locally led recovery efforts to address public health, health care facilities and coalitions, and essential human services.
• Natural and Cultural Resources, led by the Department of Interior, will work with communities wishing to preserve, protect and restore natural and cultural resources—such as historic structures—during recovery; and
• Community Planning and Capacity Building, coordinated by FEMA, to facilitate support among a variety of partners for the planning, capacity, and resilience building capabilities needed by local or tribal governments following this disaster.

These lead federal agencies will work with other supporting agencies for long term recovery with a singular focus of restoring functional and resilient communities and local economies.

The federal government continues to be focused on protecting the lives and safety of those in affected areas after Hurricane Maria. For more information about FEMA, the federal response, and resources available for disaster survivors, please visit https://www.fema.gov/hurricane-maria.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711/VRS - Video Relay Service.) Multilingual operators are available. (Press 2 for Spanish). TTY call800-462-7585

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters, which can cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Join the conversation with FEMA on social media. Follow us at: www.fema.gov/hurricane-maria   www.facebook.com/femapuertorico   www.twitter.com/femaregion2.  Get Hurricane Maria recovery information sent to your phone: text MARIA to 43362.

Get updated information and help us tell your story. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Last Updated: 

November 27, 2017 - 14:34

State/Tribal Government or Region: 

Puerto Rico

Region II

Related Disaster(s): 

4339

Puerto Rico Begins the Transition from Response to Recovery

Whitefish halts power work in Puerto Rico over $83 million it's owed

Whitefish Energy announced late Monday that it was halting work to help restore power in Puerto Rico because it has not been paid by the U.S. territory's government.

The Montana-based company said in a statement that invoices for work done in October are outstanding and that it can no longer keep working. The Associated Press obtained a letter dated Nov. 19 and signed by Whitefish CEO Andy Techmanski saying that Puerto Rico's government owes Whitefish more than $83 million and that the company would suspend work on Monday if it wasn't paid.

Whitefish said in the letter that the lack of payments is a breach of the $300 million contract that the administration of Gov. Ricardo Rossello canceled last month. Even though the contract had been canceled, both sides agreed Whitefish would complete its current projects and remain in Puerto Rico until Nov. 30.

"There is no basis for PREPA to withhold payments from Whitefish Energy," the letter said, referring to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. "We have met the terms of the contract — including completing difficult work on time and under challenging conditions."

The company said Techmanski was not immediately available for comment.

Whitefish also said Monday that Florida-based utility companies working in Puerto Rico were pulling out ahead of time.

"While we cannot speak for these utilities, we have been assured by their representatives that this is about their go-forward concerns once Whitefish Energy completes its work with PREPA and the ability of PREPA or any successor organizations to provide their crews with the necessary resources and management," Whitefish said.

The company said it would resume work if it obtained the payments owed.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico's government said in a statement late Monday that Whitefish is alleging nonpayment and that the power utility is reviewing and auditing Whitefish invoices. It also said the Electric Power Authority was forced to stop pending payments "until the situation with the Whitefish subcontractor is clarified."

Puerto Rico power company spokesman Carlos Monroig told the AP that both sides are in talks to reach an agreement to satisfy everyone involved.

The dispute comes just weeks after the power company director that signed the Whitefish contract resigned while many people in Puerto Rico remain without power two months after Hurricane Maria hit the island as a Category 4 storm.

More than 20 of Puerto Rico's 78 municipalities remain in the dark, and overall power generation stands below 50 per cent. Major blackouts also have hit the capital of San Juan and surrounding areas in recent weeks, for reasons ranging from overgrown vegetation to fuel not being supplied in time because of logistical limitations.

The hurricane hit as Puerto Rico entered its 11th year in recession and struggles to restructure a portion of its $73 billion public debt load. The power company holds about $9 billion of that debt.

An electrical crew attempts to repair power lines that were knocked over Hurricane Maria passed through on September 27, 2017 in Corozal, Puerto Rico.

Whitefish halts power work in Puerto Rico over $83 million it's owed

Whitefish Energy stops work in Puerto Rico over $83M owed

Whitefish Energy company announced that it has decided to stop its work in Puerto Rico after Puerto Rico Energy Power Authority stopped payments owing the company $83 million.

In a statement, the Montana-based company said despite the company’s “diligence and that of its subcontractors” payments under the contract with the island’s bankrupt energy authority have been delayed. Whitefish said that it will not continue any work and will not perform any additional work until PREPA pays for work that has already been completed.

Lawmakers asking why small Montana business landed $300M Puerto Rico power restoration contract

Following Whitefish controversy, embattled Puerto Rico power authority director resigns

PREPA confirmed that it had stopped payments to Whitefish Energy after receiving “a communication from one of Whitefish's subcontractors requesting the stoppage of any payment to the company, since it owed the subcontractor money.”

PREPA added that it is in communication with Whitefish and the subcontractor to resolve the situation. PREPA did not confirm the amount owed to Whitefish.

PREPA signed a controversial contract with Whitefish Energy, which only has two full-time employees, for $300 million, which was canceled after public backlash. Even though the contract was canceled, the terms of the contract stated Whitefish would work for an additional 30 days and complete its projects. The date of the contract’s completion is Nov. 30.

Two months after Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico, only 46.6 percent of the island’s electrical grid is generating power. Officials on the ground have not given a number of how many homes or businesses are receiving that power.

By JOSHUA HOYOS

Whitefish Energy stops work in Puerto Rico over $83M owed

Puerto Rico Grid Contractor Suspends Work Over Missed Payments

The company hired to repair Puerto Rico’s electrical grid stopped working Monday over $83 million in unpaid bills while some utility crews from the mainland U.S. quit the half-finished reconstruction job altogether.

By  Andrew Scurria

Whitefish Energy stops work; subcontractors leave island

Puerto Rico Grid Contractor Suspends Work Over Missed Payments

Whitefish Energy Wrapping Up Its Work In Puerto Rico [ Radio ]

The Montana-based company that won, and then lost, a $300 million contract to restore power in Puerto Rico says its on-the-ground workers are starting to pack up and go home. The departures follow pre-set dates outlined in subcontracts.

Puerto Rico’s governor asked the island’s power utility to cancel Whitefish Energy Holdings’s contract at the end of October amid scrutiny over how it was awarded. After it was cancelled, the company said it would end its work on the hurricane-ravaged island on November 30. But some of Whitefish’s subcontracts with Florida-based utility companies expire this week.

Gerri Boyce is a spokesperson for Jacksonville Electric Authority, which is bringing 45 workers home.

"When JEA went over, we were some of the first electric workers to come over, so we've done our job, and now the electric contractors that are there will continue to work."

There are currently 3,000 people working to restore power on the island from multiple utilities working under mutual aid.

Whitefish Energy declined to be interviewed for this story.

As of Monday more than half of Puerto Rico remains without power.

By NICKY OUELLET
Whitefish Energy Wrapping Up Its Work In Puerto Rico

Fluor's work on Puerto Rico power project halted over safety issue

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said on Monday it temporarily halted Fluor Corp’s work under its Puerto Rico power restoration contract over safety concerns and expects the work to resume on Tuesday.

The work was halted after Fluor workers discovered previously installed grounding wires had been removed, a spokesman for the Army Corps said in an email. Fluor brought the information to the Army Corps and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, the spokesman wrote.

The issues “have been addressed” and Fluor can restart work on Tuesday, the spokesman added.

Reporting by Gary McWilliams; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Cynthia Osterman

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Fluor's work on Puerto Rico power project halted over safety issue

US general leads troops out of Puerto Rico

Maricao, Puerto Rico (CNN)The three-star general is leaving Puerto Rico, ending his mission of providing relief from the devastation of Hurricane Maria.

Troops are being pulled out, too, along with helicopters that have flown supplies and equipment to communities cut off by landslides and broken roads.

Yet government statistics say power is still not on for more than half of homes and businesses, and water is out for more than 1 in 10.

Lieutenant General Jeffrey Buchanan recognizes that Puerto Rico is far from back to normal, but seven weeks after the hurricane hit, he insists the time is right to pass the baton.

"I think we're in the right place to transition," he tells CNN on the last day of his deployment.

Lieutenant General Jeffrey Buchanan looks down on Puerto Rico on the last day of his deployment.

Buchanan notes the visible signs of difference since he first arrived in Puerto Rico a week after Maria devastated the island. Below his helicopter, nature's green shoots are making a comeback after the hurricane ripped leaves from trees and triggered mudslides that turned this verdant island brown.

He was deployed along with thousands of personnel to offer and coordinate aid with FEMA and local municipalities for the 3.4 million Americans of Puerto Rico.

But while the capital of San Juan and some other towns now have power, water and working community services, many do not, and there are so many other issues.

CNN research this month found entire communities still without electricity, and there are ongoing contract and technical problems with power restoration -- last week just one incident on a transmission line wiped out power in San Juan and elsewhere for several hours. There's not even a reliable number for how many people were killed in Hurricane Maria and its aftermath, and the island's director of emergency management resigned on Friday.

Buchanan spends his last day flying to Maricao, nestled amid mountains in Puerto Rico's interior. Here there is still no power and he takes notes from officials that three more water pumps and three more generators are needed.

Buchanan and colleagues survey a damaged road in Maricao.

Emergency generators are keeping the machines running at one of Maricao's main employers -- Fresenius Kabi, which supplies blood storage bags for the US market, according to Eric Santiago-Justiniano, the vice president of operations. The company employs 510 people in Maricao and 498 in San German, Puerto Rico.

The generators are expensive and inefficient. Santiago-Justiniano says the company is spending between $95,000 and $140,000 a week on diesel for the generators.

"The big issue here in Maricao is power, being connected to the power grid," he says.

There's another looming problem -- the continuing exodus of people leaving Puerto Rico for the mainland where conditions are better. Just in October, 15 people resigned from the company's Puerto Rico facilities.

Buchanan (center) discusses needs at a relief distribution center in Maricao.

In Maricao, there is still a distribution center for vital supplies, and resident Carlos Rodriguez thinks they will need it for some time to come.

Rodriguez estimates his town is no more than halfway through the crisis, and he is concerned that Buchanan and US resources are leaving.

He praises the Puerto Rican National Guard for a good job, but feels more help is still needed from the mainland. "That's what I want the general to take away," he says.

Buchanan acknowledges the tough situation. "This area is going to be down for a little while for electricity," he says in Maricao.

But he agrees with his orders to leave.

The decision to send Buchanan back to his headquarters in Texas was made jointly by Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, FEMA and the Department of Defense. They said the federal military mission was over and any remaining tasks could be taken over by reservists and the National Guard.

"I have mixed emotions," Buchanan says. "I have tremendous pride in all these troops, all four services ... and they've done a phenomenal job, but the work isn't done.

"We're out of the emergency phase, but people still need help."

It's not just Buchanan leaving. Soon after the storm there were 72 helicopters flying relief missions. Now it is down to 38, and by the end of the week there will be 14.

That just makes sense, Buchanan says, because most roads are now open and the air missions are not needed.

Troops pack up a field hospital in Humacao, Puerto Rico, at the end of their mission there.

Elsewhere, a field hospital in Humacao is being packed up, and the flow of patients to the USNS Comfort hospital ship docked off San Juan is slowing down.

Hundreds of servicemen and women will leave with Buchanan. But he points out that 2,500 army reservists are on active duty and about 5,000 members of the National Guard -- from Puerto Rico and elsewhere -- are working on the island, too, as the recovery mission continues under the long-term leadership of FEMA.

Humacao

San Juan

Maricao

Map data ©2017 Google

Terms of Use

20 km 

Buchanan is relieved that the Atlantic hurricane season is all but over. But then there's next year.

"One concern I have, is resiliency for the next emergency," he says.

"Things are not going to be back to normal by the next hurricane season."

Leyla Santiago reported from Maricao and San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Rachel Clarke wrote in Atlanta. CNN's Khushbu Shah contributed to this story.

By Leyla Santiago and Rachel Clarke
US general leads troops out of Puerto Rico

Frustration Mounts Over Puerto Rico's 'New Normal' As Federal Troops Leave The Island

It's a muggy early afternoon in Morovis, a mountain community about 40 miles from San Juan. Army Reserve soldiers led by Captain Angel Morales are hard at work handing out cases of water and ready-to-eat meals from a flatbed truck. Hundreds of people line up in the parking lot of the Jaime Collazo High School.

Capt. Morales says distribution points like this one are part of the "new normal" here. More than six weeks after Hurricane Maria hammered Puerto Rico, there's still no running water in Morovis, and the only power available here is supplied by emergency generators. Frustration is rising over the slow pace of recovery.

Nonetheless, Army officials say emergency relief efforts on the island are drawing to a close. They're beginning a drawdown of federal troops.

In a meeting with federal officials this week, Morovis mayor Carmen Maldonado asked for additional help, calling access to water "the critical issue" in the community. Maldonado says there are at least 400 elderly and bedridden residents who aren't able to lug home the cases of water they need.

Lieutenant General Jeff Buchanan is leading the military's relief efforts on the island. In a meeting at the mayor's office, Maldonado tells Buchanan there were problems with the city's aging infrastructure even before the storm.

Puerto Rico's water authority has said it's working to fix the problems with the pumps and filtration system in Morovis, but Maldonado says no one has been able to give her an estimate of when that will happen.

Buchanan replies that his authority only goes so far. He's confident he can provide at least a temporary measure to restore electricity to the pumps, he says, but longstanding structural issues with the water system may be beyond his purview.

The mayor is frustrated by the delays. Without power and water, Maldonado says, her city's economy is nearly at a standstill. The largest business in the city, a paper mill, was forced to shut down after it was damaged in the storm. Maldonado says it's now relocating to another municipality, taking 80 jobs with it.

"It's a very sad situation," she says in Spanish, "because we are as important as any citizen in another municipality." She worries that mountain towns like hers are being neglected because their populations are smaller than cities on the coast.

Roads are now largely cleared across the island, many supermarkets and stores have reopened and the military says the emergency is over. General Buchanan says Puerto Rico's National Guard will continue providing relief as long as needed, but he says federal troops under his command are going home.

He doesn't like the word withdrawal, though.

"It's not a withdrawal, it's a transition," he says emphatically. "We're transitioning more from the federal side of the military more to the state side of the military."

There are about 11 thousand troops on the island now—down from more than 15 thousand shortly after the hurricane. Over the next few weeks, the number will drop by about half as federal troops hand over responsibilities to National Guardsmen.

Brigadier General Jose Reyes is with Puerto Rico's National Guard and he's working closely with General Buchanan. "In the military, it's a synchronized effort," he says.

Buchanan says that this is a natural step for the army. "But we are concerned about how we talk about it, because we don't want people to get the wrong impression," he says. "They are not being abandoned whatsoever."

But for the vast majority of people in Puerto Rico, life is still anything but normal.

"I see a lot of helicopters bringing stuff. You know we are here," says Chaylin Palma. But, she says she hasn't seen any of the relief that's been flowing to the island, and she feels abandoned by the local government. "Where is all the stuff that's going into city hall?" she asks.

Chaylin Palma, her husband Miguel Nieves and their four children, (left to right) Johushua, Abimael, Chalyani and Miguel have been living in a shelter in a high school since their home was destroyed in Hurricane Maria.

Greg Allen/NPR

Palma, her husband Miguel Nieves and their four kids, ages 6 to 9, lost their home to Hurricane Maria. Since then, they've been sleeping on cots at the Josefa del Rio Guerrero High School in Morovis. The school is being used as a shelter and more than forty five days since the hurricane, 12 families are still housed at the school.

The Nieves kids are chasing each other around the classroom they call home and asking each other what they want for Christmas. One says he wants a house made out of rocks like the Flintstones. Another just wants a new bed.

Their mother Chaylin has her own Christmas wish, directed at Mayor Carmen Maldonado: "Find us a home. Find us housing. Get us out of here" she says, her voice rising in anger.

"You're the mayor. This is your job."

FEMA says it's sending a team to the city to help the dozen families at the shelter find temporary housing. Mayor Maldonado wants to reopen the schools. But that will only be possible after housing has been found for the families sheltered there—and after water service has been restored in Morovis.

Army Reserve troops have been distributing water and other supplies in Morovis since Hurricane Maria struck more than six weeks ago.

GREG ALLEN

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MARISA PEÑALOZA

Frustration Mounts Over Puerto Rico's 'New Normal' As Federal Troops Leave The Island