Safe and Healthy Recovery

and Rebuilding: A Consumer

Guide for Caribbean Homes

Puerto Rico Edition

This factsheet is a summary of a longer guide to

keeping or restoring a home after a natural disaster

for families located in Puerto Rico. You can access the

full guide to this summary booklet at: hud.gov/info/disasterresources    

Common Natural Disasters Causing Damages to Homes in Puerto Rico

 Floods: the most common natural disaster, damage includes mold, contaminated

water, structural damage and collapse, damage to finishes and furnishings.

 Earthquakes: sudden and violent ground movement leaving moderate to major

structural damages. They can also result in landslides, floods, fires and tsunamis;

damages may include structure collapse, shifting of buildings, and explosion from gas

leaks.

 Hurricanes and Tropical Storms: produce extreme rainfall, storm surges, sustained

very high winds with flying debris; damage may be widespread and affect thousands

of buildings especially roofs, walls, windows, and entire building collapse, severe

water damage.  

 Tsunamis and Storm Surges: coastal flood events from hurricanes and earthquakes,

which produce similar damages.

 Mudslides/ Debris Slides: usually happen after a long period of rain or an intense

storm; damages range from modest damage to foundations and roofs to complete

destruction.

Creating a Plan for Safe Cleanup, Repair and Restoration of Homes

An important first step in the recovery process is to plan ahead before starting any cleanup and recovery

operations. Your work sequence should progress in the following phases.

1. Protect yourself first and foremost 5. Clean and remove damaged

2. Assess the damages and hazards materials, and decontaminate

3. Create a work plan 6. Restore and improve the home

4. Prepare the worksite

Safe                            and Healthy Recovery and Rebuilding: A Consumer Guide for Caribbean Homes – Puerto Rico       1
Consumer Resources

Puerto Rico Bureau of Emergency and Disaster Puerto Rico Power Authority

Management PO Box 364267San Juan, PR 00936‐4267787‐521‐

PR Road #1 Km. 24.5Barrio Quebrada Arenas, San 3434787‐521‐3050 TDY

Juan, PR 00926   https://aeepr.com/es‐pr/Paginas/default.aspx

787‐724‐0124 http://manejodeemergencias.pr.gov

Puerto Rico Water and Sewer Authority

Puerto Rico Asthma Program PO Box 7066San Juan, PR 00916‐7066

Centro Médico NorteCalle Periferal InteriorBo. 787‐620‐2482 https://www.acueductospr.com/

Monacillos

787‐765‐2929 Ext. 4145 proyectoviaspr@gmail.com American Red Cross – Puerto Rico Chapter

http://www.proyectoasmapr.com/proyecto‐v‐ José Celso Barbosa StreetPuerto Rico Medical

as.html CenterRío Piedras, PR 00935

787‐758‐8150

ASEM Puerto Rico Poison Center https://www.redcross.org/local/puerto‐

(787) 777‐ 2770 EXT – 2771, 2772, 2773, 2774 rico/conocenos/contactos.html  

Fax :787‐777‐2775Toll Free: 1‐800‐222‐122

General Disaster Recovery Information

HUD — U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development Disaster Resources hud.gov/info/disasterresources

Disaster Assistance Improvement Program www.DisasterAssistance.gov  

NFIP — National Flood Insurance Program www.FloodSmart.gov  

FEMA — Federal Emergency Management Agency website for households www.ready.gov  

For all of the above you can also access federal agency telecommunication services for people with speech and

hearing disabilities: www.gsa.gov/fedrelay   

American Red Cross www.RedCross.org  

Citizen Corps www.ready.gov/citizen‐corps

Key Hotlines

All the phone numbers below may also be reached by people who are deaf or hard of hearing, or who have

speech disabilities, by teletype at 711.

FEMA Helpline (800) 621‐3362

Poison Control Centers (800) 222‐1222

HUD and EPA National Lead Information Center (800) 424‐LEAD, (800) 424‐5323

EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426‐4791

National Pesticide Information Center (800) 858‐7378

FDA, Food Safety Information Service Hotline (888) SAFE‐FOOD, (888) 723‐3663

hud.gov/healthyhomes

healthyhomespartnership.net

November 2020

Safe and Healthy Recovery and Rebuilding: A Consumer Guide for Caribbean Homes – Puerto Rico    2