State Rep. Rosario calls for CT National Guard to help earthquake recovery effort

State Rep. Chris Rosario is asking Gov. Ned Lamont to send the Connecticut National Guard to help earthquake victims in Puerto Rico.

News 12 Staff

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Jan 9, 2020, 10:26 PM

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Updated 1,567 days ago

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State Rep. Chris Rosario is asking Gov. Ned Lamont to send the Connecticut National Guard to help earthquake victims in Puerto Rico.

Rosario told News 12 that the series of earthquakes that devastated Puerto Rico this week hit very close to home. His family comes from Puerto Rico, where a third of the population is still suffering from widespread power outages and property damage.

"There's already that post-traumatic stress from after [Hurricane Maria],” says Rosario.

MORE: Americares deploys team to Puerto Rico to help earthquake victims

Along with the Connecticut National Guard, the state representative wants emergency crews from Eversource Energy to help in the recovery.

“Boots on the ground, whether it be engineers or a team of linemen or women, to go in and help restore power in those areas in need," says Rosario.

Rosario says his father helped build many of the homes that were affected first by the hurricane, and now by the earthquake.

Rosario and Bridgeport business owner Alina Gutierrez say some Bridgeport residents are bringing their loved ones here to seek refuge from the aftermath.

“Just getting over the hurricane and recouping and trying to recover from that, and for this to happen now – it’s really shocking," says Gutierrez.

Rosario is also thanking Sen. Richard Blumenthal for encouraging U.S. airlines not to engage in price gouging as many earthquake victims try and seek refuge on the mainland.

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