Hurricane Maria

AM Best Removes From Under Review With Positive Implications and Upgrades Credit Ratings of Triple-S Propiedad, Inc.

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 8, 2024

The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

Key Points: 
  • The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.
  • For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings .
  • For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments .
  • AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry.

Dr. Lisandro Montalvo-Burke Joins Healthmap Solutions as Medical Director for Puerto Rico

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, Feb. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Healthmap Solutions, Inc. (Healthmap), a leading kidney population health management company, has named Lisandro Montalvo-Burke, MD as its new Medical Director in Puerto Rico.

Key Points: 
  • GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, Feb. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Healthmap Solutions, Inc. (Healthmap), a leading kidney population health management company, has named Lisandro Montalvo-Burke, MD as its new Medical Director in Puerto Rico.
  • Dr. Montalvo is a board-certified nephrologist and has been practicing nephrology in Canovanas, PR at his private practice since 2005.
  • He is a member of the American Society of Nephrology, Renal Physicians Association, National Kidney Foundation, and Sociedad de Nefrología e Hipertensión de Puerto Rico.
  • Healthmap has an all-star team here in Puerto Rico, and I am thrilled to be part of the organization.”

Genasys Awarded Critical Infrastructure Project to Engineer, Procure and Build Emergency Warning System for 37 Dams Across the Island of Puerto Rico

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 12, 2024

The competitive award made by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) is fully funded by $94.3 million from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Key Points: 
  • The competitive award made by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) is fully funded by $94.3 million from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
  • Genasys expects to recognize $60 million to $70 million in revenue over the term of the project.
  • The Genasys ProtectTM platform enables early detection and communication of potential flood threats via sensors, predictive analytics, and the Genasys Protect software and ACOUSTICS offerings.
  • The proposal incorporates the Genasys Protect platform, which includes proprietary software and hardware solutions, with sensors and communication equipment.

QUEST WATER STRENGTHENS ADVISORY BOARD

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 10, 2024

VANCOUVER, CANADA, Jan. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QUEST WATER GLOBAL, INC. (OTC Pink: QWTR) ("Quest" and/or the "Company"), is pleased to announce the expansion of its non-executive Advisory Board (the “Advisory Board”) with the appointment of three new advisors to provide expertise, accelerate growth, and drive impact.

Key Points: 
  • VANCOUVER, CANADA, Jan. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QUEST WATER GLOBAL, INC. (OTC Pink: QWTR) ("Quest" and/or the "Company"), is pleased to announce the expansion of its non-executive Advisory Board (the “Advisory Board”) with the appointment of three new advisors to provide expertise, accelerate growth, and drive impact.
  • Euphresia Luseka is a seasoned water governance expert, social entrepreneur, and programs manager with 14 years of progressive multi-country and multi-donor experience in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (“WASH”) sector in 25 countries.
  • The prestigious Women on Boards Network and Global Water Partnership recently awarded her for championing gender equity in the water sector.
  • These globally recognized leaders each bring a depth of experience and leadership to Quest and will join our current, distinguished Advisory Board members, Derk, Rob, and Craig, to provide a well-rounded, expert panel”, stated John Balanko, CEO of Quest.

AM Best Revises Outlooks to Positive for East Caribbean Reinsurance Company Limited

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 10, 2024

The positive outlooks reflect ECRC’s strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR).

Key Points: 
  • The positive outlooks reflect ECRC’s strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR).
  • The organization was materially impacted by Hurricane Maria in fiscal year 2018, which prompted it to significantly lower its retention level.
  • Since then, ECRC has grown capital and surplus annually through favorable net earnings, despite occasional dividend payments to its parent entity, TDC Group Limited (TDC Group).
  • AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry.

AM Best Places Credit Ratings of Triple-S Propiedad, Inc. Under Review With Positive Implications

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 17, 2023

The under review with positive implications status is due to improved clarity surrounding TSP’s strategic importance to GuideWell’s business in Puerto Rico.

Key Points: 
  • The under review with positive implications status is due to improved clarity surrounding TSP’s strategic importance to GuideWell’s business in Puerto Rico.
  • The ratings will remain under review with positive implications pending the execution of the LPT and until AM Best can complete the assessment of the impact of these changes to TSP.
  • For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings .
  • For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments .

How to get federal disaster aid: FEMA is running out of money, but these strategies can help survivors of Hurricane Idalia and the Maui fires get aid faster

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 31, 2023

Residents in communities hit by Hurricane Idalia, the Maui fires or other recent disasters have a long, tough journey ahead.

Key Points: 
  • Residents in communities hit by Hurricane Idalia, the Maui fires or other recent disasters have a long, tough journey ahead.
  • I am a law professor who focuses on disaster recovery and preparedness and has created several legal clinics to assist survivors.

Declaring a disaster

    • The level of damage will determine whether the president approves a major disaster declaration or simply an emergency declaration.
    • That information is then used to determine the extent of the disaster, its impact on infrastructure and the type of aid needed in the request for a federal disaster declaration.
    • Once the federal government issues an emergency or major disaster declaration, individuals can apply for disaster recovery funding.

Documenting the damage

    • Amid the grief and the rush to find temporary housing and rebuild lives, it can be hard to focus on meticulously documenting what was lost and dealing with insurance.
    • As soon as possible, disaster survivors should take photos of the damage and record every affected area of their property.
    • That includes capturing details of damage to structures, personal belongings, vehicles and any medical equipment.
    • FEMA recently amended its policy to also allow affidavits to prove ownership of homes passed down through generations, known as heirship property.

Finding disaster aid

    • People generally have four options for aid: insurance coverage, FEMA benefits, community or nonprofit funding, and private funding, including loans.
    • Disaster survivors must apply for their relevant insurance payouts before FEMA will pay benefits.
    • The agency provides up to $41,000 for housing assistance after emergencies or disaster declarations.
    • To cover the costs that go beyond FEMA’s limits, survivors may need to secure private loans or disaster loans, such as Small Business Administration disaster loans, to bridge the gap.

Community partnerships are crucial

    • Amid the complexities of disaster recovery, the importance of community planning and collaboration cannot be overstated.
    • These disaster recovery centers can be the cornerstone for long-term recovery groups that help a community both recover and build resilience.
    • Five years after Hurricane Maria, community groups were still on the ground in Puerto Rico providing aid and resources to the local community.

World-Renowned Chef, Restaurateur & Humanitarian José Andrés to Headline the National Restaurant Association Show® 2024

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 22, 2023

CHICAGO, Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show®, the premier event for the foodservice industry, is excited to announce that acclaimed chef, restaurateur and humanitarian José Andrés will join in a keynote discussion at the 2024 Show, taking place from May 18-21 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Here, Andrés will participate in a captivating discussion on the transformative impact of his culinary innovation and philanthropic endeavors, inspiring positive change within communities. Named one of Time's "100 Most Influential People" in both 2012 and 2018 and recipient of the 2015 National Humanities Medal, Andrés is an internationally-recognized culinary innovator, author, educator, humanitarian, and chef/owner of José Andrés Group.

Key Points: 
  • José Andrés Group's concepts include the two Michelin-starred minibar by José Andrés in Washington, DC, the acclaimed NYC food hall Mercado Little Spain, and multiple locations of the Bazaar by José Andrés.
  • We look forward to learning from his experiences and insights at the National Restaurant Association Show 2024."
  • The session will begin with an introduction and presentation by Michelle Korsmo, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association.
  • The National Restaurant Association Show, Hotel-Motel Show is owned and operated by Winsight LLC in partnership with the National Restaurant Association.

Maui wildfires: Extra logistical challenges hinder government's initial response when disasters strike islands

Retrieved on: 
Friday, August 11, 2023

Fires also burned in other areas on Maui, Hawaii’s second-largest island, and its Big Island.

Key Points: 
  • Fires also burned in other areas on Maui, Hawaii’s second-largest island, and its Big Island.
  • President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration on Aug. 10 that authorizes federal aid to communities in harm’s way.
  • The Conversation asked Ivis García, an urban planner who has researched disaster recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, to explain how the U.S. government responds to disasters like these and how Maui’s geography could interfere with aid delivery.

Is it harder for aid to reach an island than the US mainland?

    • Later, FEMA might bring temporary homes – often called trailers – but only if there’s enough suitable land to accommodate them.
    • There were not a lot of FEMA-supplied trailers in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria struck in 2017.
    • On islands, like Maui, there’s usually not a lot of room to set up trailer parks, whether or not a disaster has just occurred.
    • Aid workers will have more trouble getting to Maui than they would have arriving in North Carolina, for example.
    • There’s typically little public transportation available, and there are few roads even if an aid worker can obtain a vehicle.

What can Maui residents expect from FEMA?

    • On top of emergency aid, food and clothing, FEMA will help residents apply for housing aid as needed.
    • In the meantime, displaced residents may get money or vouchers to cover short-term hotel stays.
    • So it’s likely that many local residents will find it nearly impossible to cover their short-term housing costs with their FEMA assistance.
    • It’s worth noting that regardless of whether one resides in Maui or elsewhere, FEMA only provides housing support for up to 18 months.

What about tourism?

    • Their hotels were damaged, and they were evacuated, along with local residents, to shelters.
    • Once those tourists leave, the hotels damaged by wildfire will need to rebuild before the local tourism industry can recover.

Sunnova Flex Power Program Ready to Participate in Puerto Rico's Battery Emergency Demand Response Program To Bolster the Electric Grid and Increase Reliability

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 31, 2023

By voluntarily participating in the program through the Sunnova Flex Power Program, Sunnova customers will play an active role in bolstering the grid and supporting a reliable power supply for Puerto Ricans.

Key Points: 
  • By voluntarily participating in the program through the Sunnova Flex Power Program, Sunnova customers will play an active role in bolstering the grid and supporting a reliable power supply for Puerto Ricans.
  • In return for their battery response and contribution, customers will be compensated for the power supplied by their batteries.
  • "The unfortunate reality of an unreliable local electrical grid and frequent power outages has plagued Puerto Rico for far too long.
  • Since the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria in 2017, Sunnova has helped to drive energy resiliency and reliability in Puerto Rico.