Yesterday, Hurricane Maria cut a devastating path of destruction through Puerto Rico, leaving 100 percent of the territory – more than three million people – without power; restoring power to Puerto Rico may take months. The category 4 hurricane is the strongest to hit this United States island territory in almost a century.
Hurricane Maria continued northeast to the coast of the Dominican Republic this morning as a category 3 storm, bringing with it heavy winds and torrential rain. Warnings are also in effect for the previously-battered Turks and Caicos Islands as well as the southeastern Bahamas.
Today it is clear that the death toll is continuing to rise. Current reports indicate that at least 19 people have died; as rescue and relief efforts continue, I ask that you please keep all those who have been impacted by this natural disaster in your thoughts and prayers.
Various charities are working tirelessly to serve people, pets, aid workers, and entire communities with the support they need. For those wishing to contribute to relief efforts, the Red Cross has a donation website to support disaster relief: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation. Catholic Charities USA Hurricane Relief Fund also supports disaster response and recovery efforts: https://catholiccharitiesusa.org/. Thank you for any support you can provide to those in need.
Sincerely yours,
Thayne M. McCulloh, D.Phil.
President, Gonzaga University
September 21, 2017
Hurricane Maria continued northeast to the coast of the Dominican Republic this morning as a category 3 storm, bringing with it heavy winds and torrential rain. Warnings are also in effect for the previously-battered Turks and Caicos Islands as well as the southeastern Bahamas.
Today it is clear that the death toll is continuing to rise. Current reports indicate that at least 19 people have died; as rescue and relief efforts continue, I ask that you please keep all those who have been impacted by this natural disaster in your thoughts and prayers.
Various charities are working tirelessly to serve people, pets, aid workers, and entire communities with the support they need. For those wishing to contribute to relief efforts, the Red Cross has a donation website to support disaster relief: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation. Catholic Charities USA Hurricane Relief Fund also supports disaster response and recovery efforts: https://catholiccharitiesusa.org/. Thank you for any support you can provide to those in need.
Sincerely yours,
Thayne M. McCulloh, D.Phil.
President, Gonzaga University
September 21, 2017