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PROVO — Many Puerto Ricans on the mainland U.S. are awaiting word about their loved ones following this week's devastating hurricane. One man in Provo hasn't heard from his sons since Hurricane Maria washed ashore.
Jose Cruz moved to Utah from Puerto Rico three years ago but still has a lot of ties there, including two of his sons, Gabriel and Alejandro.
Cruz hasn't heard from them since Maria slammed ashore. His last telephone conversation with them took place around 3 a.m. Wednesday.
"My 24-year-old man son calls me, telling me that he's scared because he hears a woman screaming in the backyard. It turned out to be that it wasn't a woman; it was the wind howling so bad," Cruz explained.
"We said a little prayer over the phone and I hung up on him. I haven't heard from him since," he said.
Power is out for the whole island, and not much news from the area is getting out.
Cruz has ridden out hurricanes in the past, but nothing like what his sons are experiencing.
"The aftermath of a hurricane like George was horrible. I can't even imagine a category four or five," Cruz said.
His sons live in an area prone to flooding, right across the highway from an area where a lot of people died in flash floods years ago.
"It knocked down the freeway that crosses in front of their house. Many people died because they did not notice that the freeway was knocked out," Cruz said.
He doesn't know exactly how bad things are across the island but hopes people across Utah and the U.S. will help. He said the Puerto Rican government has set up a website, UnitedForPuertoRico.com*, for people to donate.
"That's going to get us water and diapers and all the essentials that we need," Cruz said.
As the people of Puerto Rico start determining exactly how bad their situation is, Cruz just wants to receive that one phone call with good news.
"That's going to be like the day my sons were born," he said.
*Disclaimer: KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit or donation you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
