Social Media Comes to Puerto Rico's Aid In Wake of Hurricane Maria

Social media users have been responding to the crisis in Puerto Rico following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria with a Twitter campaign, #MeUnoAyudar, whoch loosely translates as "I'm joining to help." 

It aims to connect people on the island who have no access to phones with relatives and friends abroad. 

Maria has left the U.S. territory of 3.5 million people without power, and many have been forced to rely on government shelters after their homes were damaged.

"Once we’re able to go outside, we’re going to find our island destroyed," Abner Gomez, Puerto Rico’s emergency management director, told the Daily News. "The information we have received is not encouraging. It’s a system that has destroyed everything in its path."

If people have access to the internet but can’t call out, those tweeting #MeUnoAyudar will help them to contact their families.

Puerto Rico remains without power but there is some internet access. #MeUnoAyudar should prove helpful in areas with limited cell phone service. The hashtag has been receiving strong support.

The storm threw the U.S. territory in chaos. Video from the island show trees and debris strewn across the streets and many badly damaged buildings.

“Irma gave us a break, but Maria destroyed us,” Edwin Serrano, a construction worker in Old San Juan, told the New York Times.

Another Twitter campaign has been launched to assist the Mexico earthquake victims, #CDMX, and it's also gaining strong support from the online community.