Hurricane María: where the response failed (and Whitefish entered)

On October 22, 2017 — one month after María — the Centro de Periodismo Investigativo (CPI) documented failures in the response operation: broken communications, municipalities without cash, FEMA without sufficient inventory and PREPA without liquidity to hire standard mutual aid. Maunabo, for example, had received only 58 FEMA tarps one month in.

FEMA had in Puerto Rico ~20,000 light tarps, 500,000 meals and 700,000 liters of water — insufficient for 3.4 million people with 100% of the electric system down and ~80% of potable water. The Government estimated 250,000 residences severely affected; after one month only ~40,000 light tarps had been distributed (~16%). Operation Blue Roof: 439 installed of 4,245 authorized (~10%). After the initial shortage, by the third week FEMA reported 10.5 million meals and 10 million liters of water. By the close of the report it had disbursed $430 million to agencies, municipalities and individuals ($270 million to PREPA and PRASA). Estimated damages: $20–$95 billion (the governor’s ceiling includes productivity).

The 25% match under the reimbursement system left aid nearly inoperable until Trump eliminated it after six days. Individuals: first 54 municipalities; the remaining 24, 12 days later. Categories C–G (reconstruction) still not approved. At PREPA — with less than half of its ~3,500 technicians and 1950s–70s equipment — Ricardo Ramos contracted Whitefish Energy Holdings because the other bidder required a $25 million deposit; he did not use APPA for lack of liquidity (“pay then reimbursement”). FEMA advanced $128 million for emergency (an exception to reimbursement) after $213 million already under reimbursement; PREPA’s $100 million emergency fund was exhausted in 26 days. At 30 days, ~82% still without power (vs Florida post-Irma: 98% in 10 days).

FEMA disbursement and an emergency contract are not adjudicated theft. An advance is not a permanent reconstruction obligation (C–G). This note does not allege a crime.