Mayor Eric Adams reflects on trip to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic
NEW YORK -- Mayor Eric Adams was in the Bronx on Tuesday morning recapping his trip to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
He and his team traveled to the Caribbean to survey the destruction left behind by Hurricane Fiona and to provide boots on the ground relief.
CBS2's Zinnia Maldonado has details on a trip hizzoner called profound.
"We're going to show the humanitarian action of what it is to be a New Yorker," Adams said.
On Sunday, Adams landed in Puerto Rico, a place he refers to as the sixth borough of New York City, where he met with local officials and toured disaster sites.
The storm dropped more than two feet of rain in some areas, leaving thousands without food water and electricity.
"We have so much abundance here and if you don't believe we do then you really need to go on the front lines and see the makeshift housing that people are living through without electricity that gives way to a lack of running water," Adams said Tuesday.
In addition to boots on the ground work, lawmakers are also advocating for federal aid.
"We're also fighting to have a supplemental bill that calls for $1 billion for nutritional aid for Puerto Rico and $2.7 billion for emergency relief," Rep. Adriano Espaillat said.
READ MORE: Hurricane Fiona: How to help those in need
Adams says city staffers will stay in the U.S. territory to help residents with tasks such as filling out FEMA documents and aiding in clean-up.
"As we speak today, staff from various city agencies, including New York City Emergency Management, Department of Buildings, New York City Parks, and Department of Design and Construction are on the ground, assessing damaged infrastructure and essential services caused by heavy rains, floods and wind," Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said.
READ MORE: New York, New Jersey state police head to Puerto Rico to assist with Fiona recovery
Adams then traveled to the Dominican Republic on Monday and met with the country's president and relief groups.
Alongside city staffers, the mayor said he distributed food and building materials to those affected by the storm. Moving forward, their focus will be on sending the Dominican Republic cleaning supplies and providing generators to Puerto Rico.
"New York has a brand that has a brand and that brand means diversity. That brand means we care. That brand means that we are compassionate," Adams said.
The city has launched a website with resources for New Yorkers looking to donate to local relief organizations. Please click here.
