APS helps Puerto Rico family get power back after Hurricane Maria
Jan 31, 2018, 4:06 AM | Updated: 8:18 am
(Twitter Photo@APSFYI_)
(Twitter Photo@APSFYI_)
PHOENIX — Screams of joy and excitement could be heard from one family in Puerto Rico after they had their home’s electricity restored, thanks to Arizona Public Service workers.
In a Facebook video posted earlier this week, the family stood outside and cheered next to APS workers.
On Jan. 17, Arizona Public Service workers announced plans to help crews restore power to thousands on the island. APS workers were expected to be on the island for six weeks.
Arizona’s Salt River Project also sent workers to help restore power in December.
The Government of Puerto Rico was apparently unaware the Federal Emergency Management Agency planned to stop sending food and water aid to the island.
On Tuesday, FEMA announced via Twitter that “aid to Puerto Rico is no longer needed for emergency operations” but said the agency would “continue to work with the island’s government and provide supplies to volunteer groups and non-profit organizations” to help clean up the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
The agency planned to cease aid on Wednesday.
But that news didn’t apparently sit well with government officials.
ABC News reported officials “were not informed” of the decision to stop aid.
Hector M. Pesquera, the state coordinating officer of Puerto Rico, said officials are “waiting for critical data” from FEMA before responsibilities were to be transferred back to the island, according to a statement on Twitter.
“This has not happened yet and we were not informed that supplies would stop arriving, nor did the Government of Puerto Rico agree with this action.”
NEW: Government of Puerto Rico responds: “We were not informed that supplies would stop arriving, nor did the Government of Puerto Rico agree with this action.” –@JoshuaHoyos
— ABC News (@ABC) January 30, 2018
NEW: Puerto Rico government says they were not informed that FEMA emergency aid would be ending, they do not agree with the decision. Discussions of when to transition aid from FEMA to Gov of Puerto Rico are not complete, per State Coordinating Officer. @ABC pic.twitter.com/pl6OVltC8d
— Joshua Hoyos (@JoshuaHoyos) January 30, 2018
It is unclear how long crews from APS and SRP will remain in the area.
