Bringing Supplies, Evacuating Survivors From Hurricane Maria

Volunteer private pilots are making a huge contribution towards relief efforts underway in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, taking supplies to the island and helping evacuate survivors from the islands.

Among the groups participating in the effort is PALS, the Patient Airlift Service. The group has kept its members busy for most of the past month providing airlift services to Texas, Florida and now the Caribbean islands, according to a report from MSN News online. They have carried medical supplies, food, water, construction materials and electrical generators on their aircraft from the U.S., and brought out people who have no place to live, no power and no services ... all at their own expense.

Pilots fly to the islands at their own risks. The storm knocked out much of the air traffic control infrastructure in the area, though the FAA did transport a temporary tower to San Juan shortly after the storm passed.

Eileen Minogue, the executive director of PALS, said the group's members have been flying relief missions for 30 days in a row, starting after hurricane Harvey in Houston, then Irma in Florida and now Maria in the islands.

FEMA and philanthropic groups on the ground are vetting and coordinating the people who need to be evacuated, according to the report. Minogue said that the efforts are likely to continue for the next four to six weeks.

FMI: Original Report