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Lessons from Puerto Rico's hurricane, one year later

On Sept. 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico, relentlessly savaging the American territory's tropical landscape and power grid.

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. – Nearly one year after a hurricane hit Puerto Rico – and as Florence begins its attack on the East Coast – the island finds itself in the headlines again.

On Sept. 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico, relentlessly savaging the American territory’s tropical landscape and power grid. Earlier that month, Puerto Rico suffered a glancing blow from Hurricane Irma. But it was Maria that left her mark more than any other hurricane in the island’s modern history.

As the community continues a crawling recovery, the U.S. government’s response to the disaster has created political controversy, with President Trump disputing a recent study that suggests the death toll from the disaster is closer to 3,000 people.

But KARE 11 wanted to get beyond the politics and debate and sit down with a local professor who calls Puerto Rico home. In January, KARE 11’s Karla Hult toured Puerto Rico with Augsburg University Professor Beliza Torres Narvaez. Today, Narvaez says she’s praying for the people in the path of Florence. And she hopes the country benefits from lessons learned in Puerto Rico last year.

“You’re in our prayers, and we hope that you definitely get the support you’re going to need. And we’re going to be watching and sending our help to support,” Narvaez said.

To help the local organization assisting in the Puerto Rican recovery -- of which Narvaez is a member -- just go to: https://www.facebook.com/Coalici%C3%B3n-de-Boricuas-en-Minnesota-

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