Since being dealt a one-two punch by hurricanes Irma and Maria, some residents of Puerto Rico have relocated to the mainland and are not sure if they will ever return.
“It is hard. The situation is really hard,” Lizbeth Pena said Wednesday.
Pena and her mother were waiting at Orlando International Airport for the arrival of her 75-year-old grandparents from Puerto Rico.
Pena purchased one-way tickets for her grandparents after the storm when she realized how bad the situation was.
“(They had) nothing to eat. Nothing to drink. No water. No Food. No gas. So, we decided, ‘Hey, it’s time to come right now,’” she said.
Pena’s grandparents were not alone and lawmakers expect a major influx of Puerto Rican residents once they are able to leave the island.
“It could be tens of thousands of people who come over,” Florida Rep. Darren Soto said. “While we’re used to a lot of new residents in Central Florida, this is something we’re going to have to constantly keep an eye on to make sure we are prepared.”
Puerto Rican resident Armando Rodriguez was expecting to return to the island at some point, but expected many of his friends to relocate permanently.
“It’s going to get worse,” he said of the dire conditions on the island. “I think we’re going to see people making that kind of decision.”
Pena was glad to know that her grandparents were safe and hoped they would stay in Florida.
“I don’t want them to go back,” she said. “I don’t want them to suffer.”
Cox Media Group
