Puerto Rico remains cut off from communications after Maria

<p>Long Islanders with relatives in Puerto Rico are anxiously awaiting word of their loved ones, after nearly all communication on the island was cut off in the wake of Hurricane Maria.</p>

News 12 Staff

Sep 21, 2017, 9:20 PM

Updated 2,574 days ago

Share:

Long Islanders with relatives in Puerto Rico are anxiously awaiting word of their loved ones, after nearly all communication on the island was cut off in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
At La Fiesta 98.5FM radio in Ronkonkoma, listeners are clamoring for the latest information on the devastation, but morning show host Ana Maria Gonzalez says she can't even find out about her own 65-year-old father, who lives in Ponce.
"I don't care if he's in his neighbor's house or in a hospital, I just want to make sure that he's OK," said Gonzalez. 
She says she's tried to call him every hour. 
With phone lines and electricity down, she hasn't had any luck. Many of her listeners aren't faring any better, but she says she'll stay on the air to hopefully help others.
"If I was in my listener's position, I would want someone on the radio telling me what towns are the worst towns…how can I help," says Gonzalez. 
La Fiesta is planning a Radio-a-Thon to raise money and help the people of Puerto Rico from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
At Island Empanada in Ronkonkoma, a Puerto Rican restaurant, diners were glued to television coverage.
News 12 was at the restaurant Thursday. Some patrons had made contact with their family. 
"Someone got through on a satellite phone and was able to communicate," said Rachel Wilkins, of Bay Shore. "No lives lost, but the property damage is extensive."