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Discover the most current information gathered after Hurricane Maria.
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135,000+ Post-Maria Puerto Ricans Relocated to Stateside
Based on school enrollment data, we estimate that more than 135,000 Puerto Ricans relocated to the United States six months after Hurricane Maria landed in Puerto Rico. Prior estimates of the magnitude of this exodus are based on movement of passenger or projections based on recent migration trends from Puerto Rico to the United States.
Puerto Rican Post-Maria Relocation by States
This research brief presents findings of the relocation of Puerto Ricans to the U.S. mainland as a result of aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Data from FEMA and school enrollment data from the selected state’s Department of Education were used to analyze Puerto Rican relocation patterns in the U.S. mainland. Prior estimates of the magnitude of this exodus have been based on movement of passengers or statistical projections based on recent migration trends from Puerto Rico to the United States.
Puerto Rico Post Maria Report
Six months since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, the initial phase of emergency disaster relief has concluded and the island has entered into a full-fledged long-term recovery and rebuilding phase. This report marks this important turning point and is divided into three section
Estimates of Post-Hurricane Maria Exodus from Puerto Rico
Hurricane Maria’s impact on Puerto Rico and its population is unprecedented. Though it is difficult to find comparable situations, we estimate that between 114,000 and 213,000 Puerto Rico residents will leave the island annually in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. From 2017 to 2019, we estimate that Puerto Rico may lose up to 470,335 residents or 14% of the population. In other words, Puerto Rico will lose the same population in a span of a couple of years after Hurricane Maria as the island lost during a prior decade of economic stagnation. Our projections indicate that Florida is the state most likely to be affected by the exodus — with an estimated annual flow of between 40,000 and 82,000 people.