In Puerto Rico, an all-too-familiar feeling of uneasiness as Dorian approached
"Scary, whew!" Twitter user bjpendley said as they watched trees kneel to Hurricane Dorian in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, on Aug. 28.
From optimism to extreme anxiety. From absolute preparation to the fear of not being able to prepare on time. Just like that, in extremes, the emotions of the American citizens of Puerto Rico stirred up prior to the imminent impact of Hurricane Dorian on the island.
From the early hours of Wednesday, Dorian maintained tropical-storm-force winds, and by mid-afternoon Dorian strengthened into a hurricane as its path took it over Puerto Rico. The storm is expected to drop up to 10 inches of rainfall in some places before moving out and whipping up wind gusts of 80 mph and waves between 10 and 18 feet. Flash floods and storm surge are on the menu, too.
Similar to the numerical calculation and the forecasts, the feelings of the Puerto Ricans also take hurricane-like force.
This is the case of Evelyn Lorenzo, an English teacher in the rural area of Aguada, who admits that while the storm system was developing in Caribbean waters, uncertainty and anxiety took hold of her.
“Yesterday, when I left my job, I went to the bathroom and cried. Maria's flashbacks came. We are very nervous about the uncertainty of this atmospheric event,” the 51-year-old teacher said.
University student Joel Quintero, 24, concurs. Although he lives in San Juan -- miles away from Evelyn Lorenzo -- and they don’t even know each other, the hollow feeling in the stomach generated by Maria's memories is the same.
“I am too tense. I prepared a little, not as I wanted because I don't have an electricity generator or water reserve. Even so, I put some bags in the windows and some towels to protect the doors. It is too much tension and just knowing that I will have to hear the wind whip the windows, makes me want to cry,” said the young man.
People arrive to a private harbor to move boats away for protection ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Dorian in Boqueron, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Likewise, the discomfort with the poor response of the government has been a topic of conversation among many Puerto Ricans who understand that preparation before the storm has not been handled in the best way.
"The government, says it's ready, but we know they are not really prepared," said Jhonatan Andújar Chévere, who will pass the storm with his family in Jayuya, the center of the island.
On the other hand, Ángel Pacheco from Aguadilla, understands that the municipalities have proved once again that they are the main line of response to an emergency. He also admits that their hands are tied in many ways.
“I perceive that the municipalities are trying to be superheroes because in reality they are the direct response of the people, but as always they do not know what steps to take because central government support is nonexistent. If the central government still does not have a plan, then mayors cannot do much. That is, they are working by faith, without a plan and without funds,” said Pacheco with indignation in an interview with AccuWeather.
Citizens stock up on gasoline and supplies a few hours before the passing of tropical storm Dorian, in Canovanas, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is facing its first major test of emergency preparedness since the 2017 devastation of Hurricane Maria as Tropical Storm Dorian nears the U.S. territory at near-hurricane force. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
On the other hand, there are those who understand that the outcome of the story lies in family planning and not in the support that the government can provide.
Some, like Bryan Rosa -- a 25-year-old resident of San Juan -- understand that many still have not learned the lesson that Hurricane Maria taught. “People remain the same. They did not learn from Maria's experience; they continue to underestimate these atmospheric events and do not give them due respect. I am also concerned about the many people who still do not have a roof…” he said.
Others, though, say Hurricane Maria's experience did help.
“While we are aware that Dorian is not even close to what Maria was, the collective mentality is not as before. After Maria, we realized that the electrical system is weaker than ever, that communications can fade at any time and that we cannot depend on the government or FEMA assisting us, because after so much corruption, people don't trust authorities,” said Laura Andrea Santos, 26, who will ride out the storm in her San Juan apartment.
Andrea Naomi López, 21 and a Barceloneta resident, agrees that family preparation is the key to lower anxiety levels.
"At home, we are calm and well prepared," Lopez said, while ensuring that those who are very worried are their relatives in the United States.
President Donald Trump declared an emergency last night in Puerto Rico at the imminent impact of the Dorian storm.
The White House reported that through this declaration, the National Security Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are authorized to coordinate relief efforts and take action necessary to protect life and property.
But on Wednesday, as Dorian closed in, the president again alluded to Puerto Ricans' lack of gratitude for the aid provided in the aftermath of Maria. He also launched attacks on the mayor of San Juan and again resorted to his argument that Puerto Rico “is one of the most corrupt places in the land."
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