Nirma Ramos sits in her Orange Park kitchen listening to CB radio on her phone’s Zello app.
It’s become the soundtrack to her days since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico.
She’s waiting for any word about the small town in Puerto Rico where her mother, bedridden stepfather and brother live.
“It’s kind of hard because you wonder if they’re eating,” said Ramos. “I’m assuming that the neighbors will help.”
Ramos knows her son is safe in San Juan. She heard from him on Thursday.
In Jacksonville’s Sans Souci neighborhood, El Taino Restaurant and Bar is collecting donations to send to Puerto Rico.
The Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is collecting donations.
Jacksonville-based Crowley Maritime has hundreds of containers of relief cargo on the way.
NAS Jacksonville squadrons are surveying damage in Puerto Rico from above.
In the meantime, all Ramos can do is wait.
“Not knowing anything, I guess that’s the hardest thing, not knowing what’s going on,” said Ramos.