GAO identifies barriers to disaster recovery — a NAPREC perspective
GAO reported that large FEMA funding obligations had not yet translated into completed rebuilding. Puerto Rico’s difficulty financing work before reimbursement and limited project capacity were among the risks requiring a coordinated federal and local response. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Recovery review finds a gap between awards and spending — a NAPREC perspective
GAO reported that Puerto Rico had spent about $1.8 billion of $23.4 billion awarded for permanent disaster recovery as of June 2023. Rising project costs and remaining approvals showed why awarded funding should not be confused with completed infrastructure. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Congress receives a five-year hurricane-recovery update — a NAPREC perspective
GAO testified that long-term reconstruction remained incomplete in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The review distinguished large federal awards from the smaller amounts spent on permanent infrastructure work. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Watershed assistance announced after Hurricane Fiona — a NAPREC perspective
NRCS announced emergency watershed assistance for Puerto Rico agencies and municipalities after Fiona. Eligible work included reducing immediate threats from damaged waterways and related erosion and flood hazards. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
February floods trigger watershed-protection assistance — a NAPREC perspective
Following heavy rain on February 5–6, NRCS activated emergency watershed assistance in Puerto Rico. The program targeted imminent threats to life and property from erosion and flooding. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Federal government announces $3.7 billion for water-system recovery — a NAPREC perspective
The White House announced a FEMA award to rebuild Puerto Rico’s water and wastewater infrastructure after Hurricane Maria. The $3.7 billion announcement covered facilities such as treatment plants, pumping stations, dams, and reservoirs. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Recovery allocations pass a $30 billion milestone — a NAPREC perspective
Puerto Rico’s fiscal agency highlighted FEMA allocations totaling $30 billion for more than 10,600 recovery projects. These figures described awarded funding across infrastructure and essential services, rather than completed construction. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
President visits Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona — a NAPREC perspective
PBS’s October 3 broadcast covered President Biden surveying Hurricane Fiona’s damage in Puerto Rico. The visit brought federal attention to the island’s immediate recovery needs after flooding and widespread outages. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Hurricane Fiona makes landfall amid a widespread blackout — a NAPREC perspective
Hurricane Fiona struck Puerto Rico’s southwest coast, bringing flooding and landslides as power failed across the island. The disaster interrupted an already unfinished recovery from earlier storms. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.