Floodwaters sweep the streets, homes are destroyed and many are left without food, water and electricity. There right now? A local family in southern Indiana.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A southern Indiana family found themselves in the direct path of Hurricane Fiona after traveling to Puerto Rico to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
What was supposed to be a fun birthday party is now marred by power grids failing, people flocking for safety and water flooding the streets.
Hundreds of thousands begin to regain power according to local utility officialsbut damage is still widespread in Puerto Rico.
“As soon as the plane landed, everyone’s phone started ringing saying, basically, the tropical storm heading in that direction has turned into a hurricane,” said Brittney Blackmon of New Albany. , Indiana.
Her husband, Samuel, said the chaos happened quickly.
“You could barely stand in the direction of the wind and then, like I said, our alerts went off. And then they were just saying take cover,” he said.
He says that when the rain fell, it seemed there was no time wasted for the floodwaters to submerge the area.
“I don’t know how the water system and the sewers are here in Puerto Rico. But it’s like, instantly, everything started flooding,” Samuel said.
On Saturday evening, the couple noticed that water was starting to enter the Airbnb, the electricity was completely cut off and the windows in their unit started breaking; they relied on the power of their rental car.
“When it gets dark, we come in with, you know, fully charged devices, and then when, when we wake up in the morning, we charge them again,” Brittney said.
The couple stay an hour from San Juan. They said they were able to find a Walmart, but there was almost nothing available.
“We didn’t see anyone handing out food and water. It’s like everyone has to love, fend for themselves,” she said. “If you don’t have money or transportation, or you can’t get anything.”
Samuel said they had heard from many people in the area that this was sometimes their harsh reality.
“People were just saying they just wish the system here was different, they wish they, you know, had power and storms and, and like they said, they used to do things like that,” Samuel said.
The two said it was important they listen and help where they can, saying it’s a reminder not to take anything for granted.
The couple and their children are scheduled to board their American Airlines flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico on Thursday afternoon. They hope for a safe and clear one-hour journey to the airport.
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