Oregon Woman Fundraising To Save Puerto Rico Family

OREGON -- An Oregon woman who escaped hurricane-torn Puerto Rico is fundraising to bring the rest of her family to the U.S. Michelle Pineiro launched a GoFundMe.com page with the hopes of raising $17,000 after her family was denied claims by Federal Emergency Management Agency.

On the webpage, Pinerio said her family lost everything in both Hurricanes Jose and Maria earlier this year.

"I fled the Island due to medical conditions needing treatment," Pinerio wrote. "We have no money."

Pinerio said she has four children, three grandchildren and two dogs she hopes to bring to Oregon.

"FEMA has denied our claims and appeals," Pinerio wrote. "Need to get housing, plane tickets and start our lives over. Help us begin a new life and be able to start the healing process."

Hurricane Maria devastated the U.S. territory, with researchers estimating that nearly 1,000 people died from the storm. The New York Posted reported that half of residents in Puerto Rico remain without power since it hit on Sept. 20.

--Photo via GoFundMe/Michelle Pinerio