Puerto Ricans Given Refuge After Hurricane Granted More Time
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Nearly 100 Puerto Rican families who sought refuge in New York after Hurricane Maria have been given more time as fears of FEMA's deadline loomed closer.
On Friday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello's request to extend the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program for approximately 1,700 survivors whose benefits were scheduled to end.
The federal government had planned to cut off housing payments and have families to leave the hotels they've been staying on Saturday.
Both Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio had implored FEMA to give families more time. The mayor issues a statement after the announcement.
"The fight is not over," he said. "We will continue to press FEMA to ensure these U.S. Citizens have roofs over their heads. Survivors of a natural disaster who have found temporary refuge in our city deserve nothing less."
All this came as there was an island-wide power blackout just Wednesday.