On Thursday, September 21, Jennifer Lopez took to social media to issue a plea for fans to contribute to relief efforts underway to aid Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria's destruction of the U.S. commonwealth. The 48-year-old Bronx born Puerto Rican entertainer recorded the message from backstage at her residency show in Las Vegas. In it, she was clearly distraught about having failed in her attempts to get in contact with family members living on the island.
"The devastation is beyond belief. Me and my cousin still haven't been able to hear from our families over there," Lopez said. “What’s foremost on my mind and many others is trying to figure out the best way to help. The island of Puerto Rico has been hit by two of the most devastating hurricanes we have ever seen; Irma and Maria. Today Puerto Rico needs our help."
Hurricane Maria has left the entire island without power, and it is projected that it may take months before electricity could be restored. For the time being hospitals and other essential institutions are being powered by generators, as are the properties owned by citizens who own such technology. So far, six people have been pronounced dead from storm-related causes, although an estimate tallied from reports provided by various mayors around the island places the figure at 13. By Friday night the 120 feet high and nearly 1,000 feet long Guajataca River Dam was on the brink of failing according to reports. Its collapse would spell out devastation for the town's surrounding areas, as it is said to hold up to 11 billion gallons of the island's drinking water.
Maria was the first Category 4 hurricane to make a direct hit on Puerto Rico in nearly a century.
Source: Instagram
