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The Economics of Disaster (Encore)
Jul 13, 2018

The Economics of Disaster (Encore)

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A lot happened in 2017, and we’re returning to one particular natural disaster that changed Puerto Rico from top to bottom. As communities on the island have recovered, there’s a trail of money to follow behind it all. This week, we are revisiting this hourlong special on the economics of disaster. We head to Puerto Rico to examine life on the ground following Hurricane Maria. We look at the debt situation, the realities of life when the lights stay out and what it takes to bring power back. Plus, Puerto Rico's dairy farmers and a surprising boom in renewable energy. Also, recovery in Texas and how Florida is handling an influx of Puerto Ricans fleeing the damage from Hurricane Maria.

Segments From this episode

Puerto Rico's solar industry wins big after hurricane

Nov 30, 2017
Why people are banking on solar for the future of Puerto Rico.
Solar panels cover a rooftop in Puerto Rico's San Juan. The island's solar industry is witnessing a boom post Hurricane Maria.
Joanne Griffith/Marketplace

Will Puerto Rico's dairy industry survive after Hurricane Maria?

Dec 1, 2017
"If supermarkets don't have power, they won't buy your milk."
An empty field that was once full of cattle in Hatillo, Puerto Rico.
Joanne Griffith/Marketplace

Puerto Rico's post storm economy, in context

Dec 1, 2017
Economist Vicente Feliciano on the past, present and future of the island's economy.
Stores struggle to stay open without power in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Joanne Griffith/Marketplace

"No place for you to live": 100 days after Harvey, these Texans still have no homes

Dec 1, 2017
Rockport, Texas' mayor admits he doesn't have any place to put people who want to return home.
A hotel in Rockport, on the southeast Texas coast, is months, if not years, away from operation after Hurricane Harvey.
Andy Uhler/Marketplace

Working to get the lights back on in Puerto Rico

Crews from New York are among those restoring power in Old San Juan.
Con Edison crews from New York help restore power in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Mark Dye

Meet the man bringing power back to Puerto Rico

Dec 1, 2017
"It just is one of the most challenging missions that we've really faced."
Col. John Lloyd, who leads the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission to restore power to Puerto Rico, stands in front of the strategy map highlighting key transmission lines. "It just is one of the most challenging missions that we've really faced,” he told us.
Joanne Griffith/Marketplace

Some Puerto Ricans refuse to leave their island, despite lack of power

Dec 1, 2017
"That was horrible. It’s an experience that I don't ever want to live through again."
Glorimar Rivera outside her home in Hatillo, Puerto Rico.
Joanne Griffith/Marketplace