HARTFORD, Conn. — Tuesday marks exactly five years since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, and now the island is fighting through another hurricane, Hurricane Fiona.
Residents right here in Connecticut are worried about their loved ones on the island.
We talked to one Hartford native who just left Puerto Rico.
Hartford is Freddie De Jesus’ home, this is where he lives and works, but his heart and his true home is Puerto Rico.
“I was born and raised here in Hartford,” said De Jesus. “My family is there. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins."
In fact, just this weekend he was on the island.
“The storm was looming. I was supposed to come back yesterday and on Saturday I was like there is no way I am getting out on Sunday,” said De Jesus. “I helped out in the morning on Saturday with storm windows, tying things down, getting the floodproofing up, and helping people in the neighborhood, and then I was like aight I have to go. That part for me is very difficult.”
De Jesus said returning to Hartford as the storm loomed wasn’t easy.
“I feel like I kinda of ran away from a fight and left my loved ones to fend for themselves,” said De Jesus.
RELATED: Connecticut residents keep a close eye on Puerto Rico as Hurricane Fiona batters the Caribbean
A fight that’s all too familiar for those on the island, Tuesday will be five years since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico.
The power is still down and President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency.
“The entire island went out. Right now, my grandmother and aunt, they don’t have power. My friends from school, they don’t have power. My friends that I have elsewhere, they have power but it’s only because their condos have backup generators,” said De Jesus.
He said all he wants to do is help.
“I just want to be there to assist. Those are our people. Those are our families so for me to be here, you almost feel helpless here,” said De Jesus.
DeAndria Turner is a multi-media journalist at FOX61 News. She can be reached at dturner@fox61.com.
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