Arecibo Observatory and campus relief fund assist hurricane victims

Debris and mud is strewn along a street in Utuado, Puerto Rico, near the Arecibo Observatory, in the aftermath of Hurricane Georges. Photo by Tony Acevedo

By Blaine P. Friedlander Jr.

As the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico is used to scan the cosmos for extraterrestrial life, the observatory itself has become a source of life sustenance in the aftermath of Hurricane Georges. And here on campus, employees have established a relief fund to help colleagues at the observatory affected by the devastating storm.

Following Hurricane Georges' sweep through the island Sept. 21, about 20 homes of observatory employees sustained damage, and five of those homes were destroyed, said Rey Medina, director of human resources for the observatory. The National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC) at Cornell manages the observatory for the National Science Foundation.

Medina reported that about 95 percent of Puerto Rico's power lines were destroyed by Hurricane Georges, and he said the Puerto Rico Power Authority estimates that it could be two months before power is fully restored to Arecibo. The observatory employs about 140 people, and the homes of the observatory employees dot the hilly vicinity leading up to the dish.

In the meantime, the observatory is providing the Arecibo community with a wide range of important services. Citizens and employees have been getting their potable water from the observatory, as the facility has its own fresh water well. Many people nearby have used the laundry facilities, dined in the cafeteria and sought recreation at the observatory's swimming pool. The small cafeteria, normally used by 10 people on any given night, has been serving anywhere from 50 to 100 people at dinner since the hurricane.

"It's been quite a popular place these days," said Medina last week.

Cornell ordered 53 generators for families of Arecibo employees. These 2,500-watt Honda generators are being offered at cost to the families to provide enough electricity for refrigeration and electrical light until power is restored, said Eugene Bartell, an administrator with the NAIC in Ithaca. The generators were shipped by Federal Express, and shipping costs were absorbed by Cornell.

The scientific staff at Arecibo also has collected about $1,000 to help the neediest workers and their families.

Medina reported that the observatory employees are in high spirits. He has organized 15 employees to serve as language translators for the Red Cross volunteers currently working on the island.

On campus, the Employee Assembly organized a hurricane relief fund for its severely affected Arecibo colleagues and their families. The fund has a goal of $10,000 by Nov. 1, and an account has been set up for the donations.

"The Employee Assembly advocates for employees in many different capacities," said Thomas Hoebbel, vice chairman of the assembly. "This is just another way we can help our colleagues in need."

Those wishing to contribute can mail checks made out to Cornell University to Cornell's Arecibo Emergency Fund, P.O. Box 576, Ithaca N.Y. 14851-0576.

"This relief effort came together very quickly, and it's going to have a real effect on employees and their families," Hoebbel said.

Hoebbel indicated that he and other employees and members of the assembly also are supporting the efforts of the Cornell Hurricane Relief Group, which is working to provide monetary assistance to victims of Hurricane Georges in the Dominican Republic. For more information on that fund, contact Alba Cabral at aoc2@cornell.edu.