The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has coordinated closely with federal, commonwealth, territory and local partners as it responds to the impact of Hurricane Maria. EPA is supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its assistance to the governments of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. EPA is focused on environmental impacts and potential threats to people’s health caused by Hurricane Maria, as well as the safety of those in the affected areas.
Approximately 80 personnel currently are involved in hurricane efforts. The following EPA teams of On Scene Coordinators, scientists, technical assistance professionals and other first responders deployed to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this past weekend, once conditions were safe to travel, to assess conditions in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. They are monitoring:
- Water sampling;
- Hazardous materials assessment;
- Drinking water and wastewater facilities assessment; and
- Regulated facility assessment.
EPA has important resources available online in English and Spanish about floodwaters, hazardous debris, household hazardous waste and other hurricane impacts. EPA will continue to provide regular updates about EPA’s response to Hurricane Maria.
