New Project to Probe Hurricane María Deaths in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — U.S. researchers who estimated that nearly 3,000 people died in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane María are now investigating deaths that might have been missed and could be linked to infrastructure damaged by the Category 4 storm, officials announced Wednesday.

  • Sep 9, 2020
  • 1:49 PM

Puerto Rico Governor Announces 9/20 Committee for Hurricane-Related Deaths

The committee will consist of public health and officials from the administration of governor Ricardo Rosselló.

  • Nov 2, 2018
  • 2:04 PM

Read the Complete GW Study on Hurricane María Deaths in Puerto Rico

Total excess mortality post-hurricane using the migration displacement scenario is estimated to be 2,975 (95% CI: 2,658-3,290) for the total study period of September 2017 through February 2018.

  • Aug 28, 2018
  • 12:13 PM

Researchers Estimate 1,139 Hurricane María Excess Deaths in Puerto Rico Through December 2017

“Based on death records following Hurricane Maria, the estimated hurricane-related mortality burden of 1,139 excess deaths through December 2017 was higher than the official death toll of 64.”

  • Aug 2, 2018
  • 8:52 PM

Government of Puerto Rico Did Not Follow Federal Guidelines to Certify Post-María Deaths

It took 36 days after the hurricane for the CDC to inform Puerto Rico’s government about a special form that needed to be used to certify deaths, and even then, it was not implemented.

  • Jul 10, 2018
  • 10:49 AM

CPI Certifies That Rosselló Government Did Not Deliver All Information Regarding Deaths in Puerto Rico

Journalist organization publishes database of mortalities after Hurricane María.

  • Jun 14, 2018
  • 4:37 PM

There Were 1,244 More Deaths in Puerto Rico the Two Months After Hurricanes Irma and María Than Same Period in 2016: And That Number Could Be Growing

It is important to note, as the Department of Health’s own chart says, that the data for 2017 is still preliminary, since the final numbers are going through the quality control process and validation.

  • Jun 2, 2018
  • 9:38 AM

Puerto Rico Government Did Not Prevent Most Hurricane María-Related Deaths

Health Department does not have a response plan in case of a catastrophe and for nearly a decade, it abandoned its responsibility to ensure the proper functioning of all health facilities on the island.

  • May 24, 2018
  • 9:06 AM

Data From Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics Confirms Excess Deaths After Hurricane María

“The total number of deaths above average in September, October and November was 1,230, according to Alexis Santos, a demographer at Pennsylvania State University.”

  • Feb 28, 2018
  • 5:40 PM

George Washington University Team Will Now Conduct Recount of Puerto Rico’s Hurricane María Deaths

Governor Ricardo Rosselló’s decision delayed the publication of a much-anticipated death recount report until May.

  • Feb 22, 2018
  • 7:26 PM

As Deaths From September and October Continue to Increase, Puerto Rico Governor Announces Details on Death Toll Working Group

As of this posting, there have now been a total of 537 more deaths in September 2017 when compared with September 2016, and 657 more deaths in October 2017 when compared to October 2017.

  • Jan 4, 2018
  • 4:24 PM

After Reports of Higher Hurricane María Deaths, Puerto Rico Governor Calls for Formal Investigation and Review

“We always expected that the number of hurricane-related deaths would increase as we received more factual information —not hearsay— and this review will ensure we are correctly counting everybody.”

  • Dec 18, 2017
  • 10:13 AM

Dozens of Uncounted Deaths From Hurricane María Emerge in Puerto Rico

All one needs is to visit town halls, police stations, and funeral homes in Puerto Rico’s towns to find them.

  • Nov 16, 2017
  • 1:17 PM

For the First 10 Days After Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico Reports a 43% Increase in Deaths

The government, however, still contends that the official death count from the hurricane is at 55 victims.

  • Nov 8, 2017
  • 11:06 PM

The Government of Puerto Rico Admitted an Increase in September Deaths After Maria, But Won’t Say Much More

When compared to September, 2016, there were 472 more deaths in Puerto Rico in September, 2017.

  • Nov 8, 2017
  • 3:31 PM

Number of Deaths Related to María Will Continue to Increase in Puerto Rico

Considering that the annual average of deaths in Puerto Rico is about 29,000 (at best), only 17% of the total deaths in the last two weeks have been examined.

  • Oct 9, 2017
  • 6:09 PM

Puerto Rico’s Public Safety Secretary Admits There Are More María-Related Deaths

Pesquera offers contradicting information about deaths due to the hurricane’s strike.

  • Oct 2, 2017
  • 4:00 PM

The Party’s Over in Puerto Rico (OPINION)

With a generational shift against the status quo, a growing reluctance among Puerto Ricans to see their islands become part of an increasingly authoritarian nation, and now a battle between its two leading figures —Gov. Pedro Pierluisi and Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón, a Trump supporter— the ruling pro-statehood New Progressive Party’s days seem numbered.

  • Aug 14, 2023
  • 4:22 PM

Join us for monthly updates!