Puerto Rico Didn't Get the Storm Relief Seen in Texas and Florida

More than six months after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, many communities on the island are still struggling to recover. Critics have said it's the federal government's fault—that, compared to the rapid mobilization after Hurricanes Irma in Florida and Harvey in Texas, the response in Puerto Rico fell short.

Now, an investigation by Politico has confirmed that claim.

"Across the board, the federal government and FEMA were slower to react, and slower to put resources and assets into play," Politico's Danny Vinik told WNYC. "Whether it's food, water, federal personnel, or things like helicopters," the response in Puerto Rico didn't match what was seen after Harvey or Irma.

Part of the reason: FEMA didn't have the proper infrastructure in place to deal with the storm right when it hit. "A ship like the U.S.S. Lincoln, which was off the coast of Florida to help with Hurricane Irma, wasn't pre-positioned properly to help with Puerto Rico," Vinik said. "It instead went north afterwards." 

Puerto Rico's limited presence in Washington may have also put the island at a disadvantage.

"Places like Florida, New York and Texas have very powerful delegations that can use different tools in Congress to hold up nominations, put pressure on FEMA officials, or even the president himself," said Vinik. "Without those tools for Puerto Rico to use, it makes it tougher to get the attention that's necessary in the first few days and weeks after a big hurricane like Maria."

Vinick spoke with WNYC's Richard Hake.