In 2017, Puerto Rico was severely impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Puerto Rico is an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea consisting of the main island, four small islands, and hundreds of cays and islets. The back-to-back Cabo Verde-type hurricanes, devastated physical property, landscapes, and the economy across the archipelago. The damages presented challenges at all stages of emergency response and recovery efforts for FEMA and other responding entities. However, another factor was the storms effects on the Puertorriqueño / Borinqueño population and the destruction of pre-existing family graves.
Founded in 1827, the Municipality of Lares figured prominently in the 1863 “Revolt” and movement towards emancipation from Spain. The Cementerio Municipal de Lares, built according to Spanish colonial standards, dates to 1855. This predominantly Catholic cemetery has grown in time from its original two acres. Today, the 11-acre burial ground has over 5,000 mausoleums and crypts – many holding group interments. The cemetery embodies distinctive characteristics of Spanish colonial design – eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and is an important part of the community and historic culture.
Challenges
Landslides and flooding effected the large cemetery calling for a temporary relocation of unearthed sites. Groundwater infiltration and runoff associated with Hurricane Maria alone impacted approximately 1800 tombs and plots within the modern (“Lower”) section of the Lares Municipal Cemetery. The cemetery’s historic (“Upper”) section was unaffected.
The local Department of Health closed the cemetery after the hurricanes due to health and safety risks and out of respect for the wider community. The damaged portion of the cemetery was geologically unstable and could not continue in use without costly remediation of the tombs, grave sites, and the cemetery.
Outcome
Staff with FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Program helped to temporarily relocate grave sites with exposed or unearthed interments with federal funding. EHP advisors provided sound guidance, environmental planning, and historic preservation assistance to officials, helping our partners to comply with all 29 environmental regulations, executive orders, and laws. The emergency transfer of human remains aimed to re-open the cemetery to family members but abiding by all health and safety protocols.
After a review, EHP advisors issued a determination of “No Adverse Effects,” consistent with federal requirements. Project conditions included protocols if unexpected remains or cultural materials were encountered during construction and remediation efforts.
Related construction occurred inside the modern cemetery and was minimally intrusive to the plots. Tasks included repairs to disturbed tombs and construction of 230 concrete niches for temporary storage of 100 or so graves until the city approved a permanent alternate location. The niches will also serve to temporarily house new burials.
Despite damaging effects of the natural disasters, FEMA stepped in to protect the local community, natural environments, infrastructure, and human health from future hazards and threats. Together, the agency brought relief and provided tailored solutions to the commonwealth and municipal partners. Advisors continue to work with officials on the project. Federal Assistance was awarded January of 2020. Work is ongoing. The municipality remains unsure whether only the most heavily damaged graves will be permanently relocated to a newly designated burial location. The path forward to a new cemetery is challenging with respect to land acquisition, design, transferring thousands of graves, and family consultations, however, FEMA will provide support as needed to our local partners until the project is complete.