73,000 Puerto Ricans flee for Florida after Hurricane Maria
26 Oct 2017 10:53 PM IST
Miami: More than 73,000 people have fled emergency conditions at home for Florida since Hurricane Maria devastated the US territory in the Caribbean.
The island of about 3.4 million was ravaged by the megastorm and a majority are still without electricity, while others in isolated areas are continue to await services and help. "As of October 3, 2017, more than 73,000 individuals arrived in Florida from Puerto Rico through Miami International Airport, Orlando International Airport and the Everglades Port," a statement from the office of Governor Rick Scott said.
The hurricane hit the island September 20, but Puerto Rican arrivals in Florida are being recorded from October 3, a spokesman for Florida Governor Rick Scott told AFP. That is because Florida was declared on that date to be in a state of emergency, to be able to respond to the expected migration impact.
Thanks to the emergency declaration, the state opened disaster relief centers at two airports and the port.
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