On an island devastated by the recent hurricane, where people have to wait many hours to get gas, cash and ice, one of the most rare and precious luxuries is a plane ticket to “escape”.

Two weeks after Hurricane Maria landed, thousands of Puerto Ricans pile up on the few commercial and private flights available to go to the continental United States, instead of enduring more months without electricity, telephone service or running water.

“Nothing is beautiful anymore,” said a woman (31), who planned to fly to Miami with her three children last Friday. Many people sell their cars, abandon their destroyed homes and leave their property in the hands of relatives who stay in Puerto Rico. Some people plan to return after spending time on the continent, while others are sure they will be gone forever.

Puerto Rican airports have become a scene of sad farewells: families send their children, spouses and parents to live with relatives in Orlando, New York, Washington, or anywhere.

On the continent, cities and states that have a large colony of Puerto Ricans prepare for arrivals and try to help people find shelter, work, and school for the kids. In Florida alone, which already has a population of one million Puerto Ricans, up to 100,000 people are expected to arrive in the Orlando area and Tampa Bay.

Current PuertoRican population in the US