Nebraska Task Force One helping Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – As Puerto Rico fights to get ahead after Hurricane Fiona, a Nebraska team of first responders in on its way to the island.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency activated task forces around the U.S. to assist with recovery efforts.

Nebraska Task Force One deployed 45 members to the U.S. territory on Monday. They are expected to stay in Puerto Rico for 14 to 21 days.

“An opportunity for us to go help those in those situations that are pretty rough,” task force leader Dan Ripley said.

Hurricane Fiona dropped historic rainfalls of over 2 feet of water in Puerto Rico, causing mudslides and flooding.

The island also suffered a power outage during the hurricane.

In Puerto Rico, people’s access to electricity has worsened since Hurricane Maria hit the island in 2017.

Even after Puerto Rico’s power transmission and distribution system was privatized in 2021, people experience constant outages.

Gov. Pedro Pierluisi says it could take days for the power to be restored, but Puerto Ricans are expecting it to take weeks.

Officials say they will have an initial estimate of damages after the rains dissipate after Tuesday.

Whatever challenges arise, Nebraska Task Force One is ready to address them.