Group seeks plane to send supplies to Puerto Rico

Tons of supplies, donated to assist Hurricane Maria victims in Puerto Rico, are sitting in a Brevard County warehouse. 

Starting two days after the hurricane, United Third Bridge, Inc. began collecting donations for storm victims in Puerto Rico.  The supplies remain in Melbourne, because they need a plane to transport it to the island. 

"What we have is everything sorted and ready to go -- clothing, pillows, bedding, tents," explained Samantha Nazario. "Then on this side, baby supplies, medical supplies, hygiene, disinfectant, laundry, soap."

They have every daily necessity imaginable, all boxed up and ready to go.

"We have insulin, asthma medication, catheters ... we also have a few canes around, walkers too," Nazario added. 

Nazario said that while they wait for a cargo plane, they have some items ready to hand out to evacuees who are arriving in Florida.

"We just have easy access to diapers, wipes, whatever we have to give them," Nazario said.  "They're excited about it, because they don't' want to be a burden to their families."

Puerto Rican authorities have estimated the island suffered $45 billion to $95 billion in damage in the September storm, which virtually destroyed the island's power grid and other infrastructure. So far, Congress has approved nearly $5 billion in aid.

More than 100,000 Puerto Ricans have left the island since the storm hit, with most settling in states such as Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. 

Some experts have said the island of 3.4 million people could lose more than 10 percent of its population by 2019, with nearly half a million already having left as a result of the crisis.

 

Some information provided by the Associated Press.