Trump approves Puerto Rico disaster declaration

President Trump approved a disaster declaration for Puerto Rico on Thursday over the series of earthquakes that first hit the island last month. 

Trump’s approval will make federal funding available to affected individuals in the municipalities of Guánica, Guayanilla, Peñuelas, Ponce, Utuado and Yuaco, the White House said. 

Starting on Dec. 28, Puerto Rico was hit by a series of small earthquakes. The quakes intensified, culminating in a tremor measuring 6.0 magnitude that was followed by a series of aftershocks. 

The disaster declaration will make available assistance including grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to aid individuals and businesses recovering from the disaster. 

The disaster declaration comes one day after the Trump administration said it would end its months-long hold of more than $8 billion in disaster aid relief appropriated by Congress for Puerto Rico intended to help the island after the 2017 hurricane that devastated the territory. 

Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vásquez Garced had declared a state of emergency, along with several mayors across Puerto Rico. Trump approved federal emergency funding for Puerto Rico last week.