Hurricane Maria: Puerto Rico One Year Later
Listen 48:34
Image: Irina Zhorov
It’s been a year since Hurricane Maria swept through Puerto Rico, destroying lives and reducing many communities to rubble. The storm also affected the island in other ways — devastating its power grid, crippling communications, and transforming industry.
On this episode, we explore Maria’s aftermath — what the storm revealed about Puerto Rico’s vulnerabilities, the changing landscape, and the human toll of failed infrastructure. Plus, efforts by locals to adapt and rebuild, and the challenges they face moving forward.
Also heard on this week’s episode:
- Investigative journalist Omaya Sosa Pascual unpacks the disastrous impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico’s health care system — and why she thinks it could happen again.
- Biophysical chemist Belinda Pastrana on how Maria has affected her startup and why she decided she had to relocate.
- Marvel writer Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez explains the inspiration behind his character La Borinqueña — a superhero who’s become a symbol of strength for Puerto Ricans.
Segments from this episode
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Brought to you by The Pulse
Extreme heat and some medicines can be a risky combo. Here’s what to know
Hot weather, too, can damage medicines such as insulin that require refrigeration. Inhalers can explode. Epinephrine injectors such as EpiPens can malfunction. \
2 weeks ago
How to prepare for power outages if your health depends on home medical devices
For most people, power outages are an inconvenience. For those who count on electricity for home medical equipment, they can be a crisis.
3 weeks ago
New Jersey’s homeless population has risen 17% over the past few years, and there aren't enough resources to properly help unhoused people.
3 weeks ago
Listen 1:57