Local organizations work to help those in Puerto Rico affected by Fiona

Life-threatening flash flooding sparked rescues and the governor warned that it could take days to get the lights back on.

Our very own producer Kathy Del Hoyo captured video while on vacation in Puerto Rico this week. You can see customers stocking up before the Fiona hit.

“It did get a little scary," said Del Hoyo. "I thought to myself 'what did we get ourselves into at this point?'”

Del Hoyo is staying in the northern part of the island. Its quieter, but she said her hotel is currently running on a generator.

Freddy Medina, an organizer with North Carolina for Puerto Rico, grew up on the island and has lots of family members still there.

“It is devasting for us to see what is happening," said Medina. "These are family members. My parents are down there it is heartbreaking.”

Medina is helping to organize support for those affected by the hurricane.

North Carolina for Puerto Rico has done this before back in 2017 during Hurricane Maria. Supporters packed up and shipped out supplies to the island.

This time around is different.

“Right now it is not cost-effective to get aid or collect water and food," said Medina. "During hurricane Maria, we had to do that because everything was down, the ports were not working and the ships could not anchor.”

The plan now is to wait until things calm down, to assess the need and then get it to the people of Puerto Rico.

"We are at a standstill," said Medina. "We are trying, but how we are going to help PR will be very tactical."

Medina has shared a list of vetted organizations he’s used before in Puerto Rico for those that want to help.

As for Del Hoyo, her flight is still on schedule to leave Puerto Rico tomorrow.