College Voices
Resilience Still Matters: Recovery and Rebuilding after the Storm
“We cannot stop natural disasters but we can arm ourselves with knowledge: so many lives wouldn’t have to be lost if there wasn’t enough disaster preparedness.”- Petra Nemcova, Czech Supermodel and Founder of Happy Hearts Fund, a nonprofit organization that rebuilds safe, resilient schools in areas impacted by natural disasters.
The recent slew of hurricanes from Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Jose left significant and catastrophic damage in parts of both Southeastern US and the Caribbean. Given the magnitude of each storm and its aftermath in those regions, extensive recovery and rebuilding phases are well underway with no specific timetable of when everything (electricity, drinking water, passable roads, etc.) will be fully restored.
Source: Courtesy of Mr. Alvincent Hutson
Puerto Rico, which luckily survived Hurricane Irma, unfortunately suffered severe and devastating damage from Hurricane Maria as it destroyed much of the island’s critical infrastructure. Even worse, this US commonwealth faces $70 billion of municipal debt that still needs to be repaid. These are just one of the many ongoing struggles that they will endure both now and long-term.
In order for Puerto Rico or any other devastated place to restore itself from a natural disaster, it requires infinite patience, diligence, persistence, and optimism. Most of all, it takes both a community and its people to be strong, passionate and compassionate, while pulling together all their available and incoming resources to rebuild stronger than ever before.
Along the way, there are fears, worries, and doubts from people living in those affected areas.
Source: Courtesy of Mr. Alvincent Hutson
These negative feelings and stressful situations further reflect the urgent needs of people to immediately think of including finding housing and food, dealing with insurance companies and government agencies, and affording basic necessities (esp. fresh, clean water, medical supplies, fuel).
Source: Courtesy of Mr. Alvincent Hutson
Cristina Chan, a teacher, recalls a conversation she had with her two sisters who were in Puerto Rico during the two storms. Her one sister, who lives in Rincon, described that the most challenging aftermath of this storm was the lack of power and fresh water available. Her son is sick and needs oxygen in his home. As a result, she needed to move him to Florida as soon as the airplanes were running in order to get him the treatments he needs. Her other sister “still lives in Puerto Rico and says she will never leave.”
In light of these pressing matters, an important theme that needs to be reiterated to these devastated areas is resilience. Resilience is vital for communities because it is the foundation needed to rebound from any type of disaster. One experience that Puerto Rico and the rest of the world can look to for inspiration, regarding resilience from a serious natural disaster, is Hurricane Sandy.
Five years ago on October 29th, 2012, Sandy ravaged most of the Eastern US, including New York and New Jersey. This powerful storm damaged businesses and homes while also claiming 159 deaths (43 deaths accounted for in NYC). As a result, the estimated total damage cost from this storm was about $70.2 billion, making it the second costliest hurricane during that time. Sandy’s destruction was seen as an economic, environmental, and social disaster, which reflected in the long-term cleanup and recovery process. Despite the inherent obstacles and limited resources that Sandy posed to these communities, this storm presented an opportunity for the American people to display their acts of heroism and resilience. Every act of kindness sparked and rekindled the meaning of gratitude and generosity. Whether it was the incredibly talented and dedicated nurses at NYU Langone Medical Center who saved 20 babies while having to evacuate from the hospital due to power failure or the high school English and computer teacher who used her scooter in a resourceful way to assist needy residents in the Jersey Shore, their acts of heroism and resilience is something places like Puerto Rico should see as a source of inspiration and hope with their recovery efforts.
The lessons from Hurricane Sandy that should be applied to the recent storms are that people and communities must always stick together and support each other. Just like how people in NY and NJ dealt with the aftermath of Sandy, Puerto Ricans as a whole are strong, happy people who will continue to thrive, even in difficult situations, and continue working together to rebuild and restore its proud culture and heritage. Even in the storm’s toughest moments, resilience is the true spirit that will survive any natural disaster.