SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – Hurricane Fiona has hammered Puerto Rico, with winds gusting more than 100 mph and over 1 million people left in the dark.
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Bay Area groups are already mobilizing to try to help the island territory, including the San Jose nonprofit, "The Puerto Rican Civic Club."
Hurricane Fiona has grown to Category 3 as it's nearing the Turks and Caicos islands. The devastating catastrophe comes just 5 years after Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricane Maria, which killed almost 3,000 people on the island.
"There are people now that have not had drinking water for over 24 hours," Kathryn Ramos, vice president of the club, told KCBS Radio. "The grid is completely down."
Hurricane Fiona has flooded entire neighborhoods and caused 840,000 residents to be without running water and 1.3 million without power, which is why the Puerto Rican Civic Club is asking specifically for financial donations.
"That is the most important thing. We can purchase gas and propane generators from Home Depot and Lowe’s and have them delivered directly to the island," Ramos said, adding that it is a desperate situation and people need help now.
"By purchasing generators, by purchasing lights, you're not only helping a child maybe do their homework or read, you're helping a family keep their food cold or their medication cold," she explained.
The group is also working with local hospitals and orphanages to help. If you'd like to donate, visit their website here. Ramos said the organization is hoping to raise over $100,000.
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