New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been largely involved in relief efforts for the island—organizing a statewide donation effort in coordination with the National Guard, as well as arranging multiple private relief efforts.
During an appearance on CNN, Cuomo said he would deploy utility crews and equipment to help the Commonwealth, and help jump-start the repairs. The lack of power has left Puerto Ricans struggling to cope without basic necessities like food and water.
“It all starts with power. If you don’t have power, pumps don’t operate, people can’t operate equipment to clean their home,” Cuomo told CNN. “So, it’s very hard to get the society up and running until you have the power restored. And there’s been very little progress on the power.”
New York Power Authority sent crew members to Puerto Rico on the first relief flight that Cuomo had arranged. Those employees were embedded within PREPA to help fully assess the damages to the grid, including conditions at hundreds of power substations across the island.
To further help with relief efforts, Cuomo organized a 28 person tactical power restoration team consisting of engineers and supervisors that specialize in the supervision of transmission and distribution system recovery. Also, they will assist in ongoing efforts to address the island’s power crisis, and help restore the decimated power grid.
Those workers, pulled from various utility companies across New York State, will be deployed in early November, in teams to seven regions throughout Puerto Rico. In addition, a separate 15 member unit of specialized contract accountants to help expedite FEMA filings and reimbursements, will also be mobilized.
