Hurricane Maria

Gearing up at the Caravan for Liberty and Democracy in West Tampa

Florida's Hispanics Could Decide The Election

Steve Newborn

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Hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans moved to Florida after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. Hispanics are the fastest-growing bloc of voters in the state, and whichever party woos them to vote for their candidate could decide the presidential election.

Julio Ildefonso, left, and his mother Mariana Vazquez, right, sit in the living room of their new home in Tampa. Vazquez passed away in January, leaving Ildefonso alone in Florida. He's considering whether or not to move back to Puerto Rico.

Local / State

Tampa Bay Area Preparing For More Hurricane Evacuees

Jessica Meszaros

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As Hurricane Dorian barreled toward Puerto Rico on Wednesday, some in the Tampa Bay area with family and friends on the island were staying alert.Puerto…

Floodwaters inundated Cataño, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 28, 2017, days after it was hit by Hurricane Maria.

Climate Change Was The Engine That Powered Hurricane Maria's Devastating Rains

Rebecca Hersher

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Maria was the rainiest storm known to have hit Puerto Rico. Scientists say a storm of such severity is nearly five times more likely to occur today, with warmer air and ocean water, than in the '50s.

Remains of La Pescaderia, a community center in Loiza, Puerto Rico. The island will receive nearly $20 billion from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help rebuild after Hurricane Maria ravaged the island in September 2017.

Local / State

Puerto Ricans Concerned That $20 Billion Recovery Plan Is 'Not For The People'

Adrian Florido

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Island officials will have discretion to spend the federal money as they see fit. But some worry the government's plans will leave local communities behind.

Local / State

USF Sarasota-Manatee Hosts Discussion Of Puerto Rico's Post-Maria Recovery

Mark Schreiner

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Over a year ago, Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico.Thursday evening, the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee is hosting a panel discussion,…

A year after Hurricane Maria touched down in September 2017, the island is still recovering. On Tuesday lawyers for the government admitted they had not yet overhauled the island's emergency response plans for the next major hurricane.

Health News Florida

Government Lawyer Says Puerto Rico's Hurricane Response Plan 'Does Not Exist'

Adrian Florido

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For months, Puerto Rican officials have said their government is ready for another hurricane. But the part of its emergency response plan dealing specifically with hurricanes hasn't been completed.

Florida Matters

Florida Matters: Story Days In Tampa Bay

Stephanie Colombini

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Story Days in Tampa Bay recently hosted its fifth annual festival in St. Petersburg. This week on Florida Matters we hear excerpts from a performance …

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Education

UCF Extends In-state Tuition To Students From Puerto Rico

Associated Press

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The University of Central Florida is extending its offer of in-state tuition to students who came to the school from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands…

Florida Matters

Abandoned Animals Strain System In Puerto Rico

As the sun rises above San Juan’s Peninsula de Cantera neighborhood, stray pigs roam the streets looking for scraps of food.In one yard, nearly a dozen…

Florida Matters

Small Business Owners Struggle, Hope For Prosperous Future After Hurricane Maria

For nearly seven decades, generation after generation has operated Carlos Bonnet-Vargas’ bookstand on the colorful streets of Old San Juan.With painted…

Florida Matters

Florida Matters Takes A Look At Hurricane Maria Survivors, One Year Later

Mary Shedden

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It’s been a year since Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico. Recovery continues on the devastated island, but transitions are also happening here in…

Florida Matters

Florida Matters More Podcast: Telling The Stories From Hurricane Maria

Robin Sussingham

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Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico a year ago this month, and on WUSF's Florida Matters we're hearing the stories of people who fled to the Tampa area…