Hurricane Maria: US Truckers Rise To The Challenge In Puerto Rico

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico was left devastated. Debris littered the roads, making the distribution of goods nearly impossible. Additionally, many Puerto Rican truck drivers were unable to return to work after Hurricane Maria passed. Some sustained injuries. Others are trying to repair their own homes to provide shelter for their families. Others are simply unaccounted for, possibly due to the fact can communication lines haven’t been established, or they may have been casualties, themselves. The Teamsters Union has stepped up to the challenge, and have been heading out to Puerto Rico to help in the relief effort, and are helping tremendously.

People Are Dying

Supplies ranging from basic food and water, on up to pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and more were brought into San Juan, Puerto Rico’s main port, where they sat. The logistics were not in place to deliver these necessities throughout the island, either from the people living there, or from the US government’s relief efforts. US truckers, understanding the urgency to get supply chains moving in order to help people and keep the population alive after Hurricane Maria, went to the island to get the job done.

Hurricane Maria Is Not About Politics

More than 100 truckers from the United States have signed up to help in the relief efforts since the full situation was realized. Between the sniping between heads of state from both Puerto Rico and Washington, DC, the only thing that was happening were delays and widening the rift that has grown between the US and its territories. No one asked for Hurricane Maria, but we do have a responsibility to the women, children, and men who live not only in the states, but on our island territories, as well. Hurricane Maria doesn’t play politics. The people waiting for their medication are not playing politics. The people standing in line waiting to food rations are not playing politics. Most importantly, the people further inland, who have been without power and assistance for well over a week, have no idea what is doing on in the news, or if they are ever going to receive help.

Truckers Get Things Done

While people were bickering in Washington, and people were starving and dying in Puerto Rico, it was the trucking industry that cut through the red tape and actually gave the people what they needed, so they could start to rebuild after Hurricane Maria. Truckers may not make the news, but they are the quiet heroes to are too busy working hard and saving lives in the face of natural disasters to stop and get the praise they deserve.