Hurricane Maria: My In-Depth Experience

Hurricane Maria was the second major hurricane to hit my homeland, Puerto Rico, after Irma came very close to devastating us, but didn't. I will never forget this experience as it has completely shifted my life upside down in a way nothing ever has. I went out of my way to document more than just the 160 mph winds passing over us because the REAL experience was living in the aftermath, which is something not many storm chasers stick around to record. No fancy effects, color grading, etc. Just my take on reality in a way I've never done before with a few cameras, and an experience.
For those interested in the rest of my films, I have since moved to a new channel: / @laumarrero
Here are some charities you can choose from to help those affected by Irma, Maria and Harvey (as of 2017, probably outdated by now):
- www.unidosporpu...
- secure.unicefu...
- www.gofundme.c...
- teamrubiconusa...
- www.houstonhuma...
- www.hands.org/...
- www.gofundme.c...
- www.gofundme.c...
- www.gofundme.c...
For business inquiries regarding this documentary, please contact: [e-mail]
Support me on Patreon: / mynameislau
... or donate: paypal.me/LauMarrero
Music?
/ hurricane-maria-my-in-...
- www.andrewapplepie.com
- / andrewapplepie
Want to stay updated with me?
Twitter: / lauramarreroo
Instagram: / laaauuu
Facebook: www.facebook.c...
Tumblr: / lauramarreroo
Camera Rig?
kit.com/laaauu

[@dirkvandenhovenvangenderen6275]

Dear Lau, This documentary was so special. I'm still having goose bumps everywhere.( sorry my english is not that good) The first days after the hurricane when the weather was dark and grey, it didn't felt like i was looking to a tropical island. More like the netherlands in November. Because that's how it looks overhere. Mom always raised me up with nature and no junkfood or games or phones. I have always been aware of how depended the world is if we're talking about internet. But the fact u came closer to your family and old friends is wonderfull. I think you're a very smart woman you can see that in the way you made the video. And the way you can look different about the situation then a lot people would do in the first place. I'm going to share your doc. on facebook. I'm curious how Puerto Rico looks right now. Greetings from Arnhem, The Netherlands. Dirk van den Hoven van Genderen

[@jcui5007]

Your English is great. What a horrifying experience.

[@rebeccagutierrez1401]

Let me tell you girl, you have a gift to do documentaries. I sat through the whole video feeling like I relived it all. I had never been in any hurracaine until Irma and Maria. I moved to Puerto Rico from Chicago like a year and a half ago. You expose here exactly what we ALL felt. Well done!

[@keaka560]

I'm from Hawai'i now living in PR since February this year on a work assignment. I have experienced a hurricane once in Hawai'i. Hurricane Iniki. Your video reminds of that time. It was very eerie and terrifying. Eerie when the eye passed over. Very calm. In fact I could see blue skies. Which was a precursor of the worst to come. I was alone, most of the family went to others since our house was old and made of wood. I think I save our home by opening some of the doors to let the high winds through. I saw our neighbors house blew away and just the concrete pad was left. But the worse was yet to come-after the hurricane. The destruction, panic, clean up, finding water and food. Hence I have already stock piled water and food (more to come) in my condo here at Isla Verde. Yes the palm trees are flexible same on our island it survived. Excellent video

[@H1TMAN_1-87]

All I can say is WOW. Hurricane Maria showed no mercy to all of Puerto Rico. I'm glad you and your family made it through the storm. and I'm in total shock when I saw the aftermath in this video especially those massive lines at the gas stations as well as all the trees and debris all over the place. I couldn't even imagine having no power, water, cell phone service or internet. This video was amazing! Stay safe out there. Pray for Puerto Rico!

[@LauPlays]

H1TMAN_1-87 Thank you! So much!

[@alramos578]

I went through Hurricane Andrew in 92 in Homestead Fla. I can understand what my people went through in the island. I'm glad that you and your family survived it.

[@MariaColon879]

Excellent documentary of your experience throughout Hurricane Maria. I'm very happy that you all are safe.

[@edrosenberger6947]

This is a wonderful first-person film documenting hurricane Maria and its awful aftermath on the island of Puerto Rico. This well edited film should be shown on POV which is part of PBS. Lau Marrero is a very kind, intelligent and articulate young lovely lady whom is very good at expressing her feelings on the fly and one can get a sense of the moment by watching her unfettered expressions.

[@muzhikiviche3599]

Ed Rosenberger my boy has some big words

[@Bsimsdorock1025]

Hello Lau, I'd like you to know that I haven't forgotten about you. I have been insanely busy and when I watch your videos I like to be able to watch the entire film without interruptions. I apologize for not supporting you as much as I usually would. This event made such an interesting, beautiful, inspiring film, but I wish you didn't have to go through any of this. This production was extremely scary, suspenseful, and emotional to watch. I could never imagine living through what you had to go through. You've opened my eyes to parts of devastating events I had never thought of. It also made me realize how much I take for granted and how I shouldn't get so mad over little things. I'm so glad you and your family made it through this experience safely. I hope you get to go back to your home soon. Love you! Brianna

[@LauPlays]

BJames1025 Hey Brianna, thanks so much for the awesome words, man. I appreciate it so much! This is an experience that was hard, but I wouldn’t take it back for many reasons. I really believe bad days come for good reasons, and maybe it doesn’t look like it hasn’t done any good right now...but with time I know something very positive will happen (:

[@TheCreepyFoxOfficial]

Hi Lau. This is one of the first videos I have seen from you and all I can say is wow! It was such an incredible and truly surreal video. Seeing what you went through was crazy but the most powerful part of the video was the message at the ending of the video you had for the viewer. In today's modern day of technology and what not we sometimes forget what truly matters! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family through this continued recovery! -Cesar

[@LauPlays]

The Creepy Fox thank you sooo much! ☺️

[@marcospou6541]

Yes i agree.

[@walterjaner]

Este video tiene una importancia histórica inmensa como instrumento de documentación y debe ser conservado en perpetuidad. ¡Mis felicitaciones por un gran trabajo!

[@g3a9j7]

In florida when a hurricane comes people empty the grocery stores and gas stations, ride it out, pile the debris on the curb, sweat in bed listening to generators for a week then the power comes back and everything is back to normal. I could not imagine that just going on for months! This may be the worst thing you ever experience in life. Its all uphill from here.

[@WES_Productions]

I just watched the the whole video. It's quite shocking to see all of this. No one should live this way. It's sad that this is something that you all had to deal with but I'm happy that you, your family and your friends are fine now. I like documentaries a lot and this is by far, and I'm being honest, one of the best documentary films that I've watched in a long time. You did amazing job showing and telling everything. I can tell that it wasn't easy at all. This was a lot of work. I hope that more people will watch it too, from start to finish. This deserves to be watched. Wish you, your family, friends and country all the best, Lau. ¡Gracias por compartir esto con nosotros!.

[@LauPlays]

+WES Productions Thank you so much Wes!

[@dominicano77]

You are extremely talented Laura. God bless you for putting together such an amazing documentary.

[@714monique]

This is very sad. And it hurts more when I recognized most of the streets you drove through. We’re getting better though. Slowly but surely. ❤️

[@blooming_lotus]

The video was extremely impacting! As a Puerto Rican myself in the city of Bayamón, I also experienced the hurricane. The memories I share are similar to ones you described. After our scare with Hurricane Beryl recently, it brought back all those fears and worries from Hurricane Maria. This video brought tears to my eyes reliving that experience we all went through. I was sad to see you left the island at the end but I wonder, have you come back since? Thank you for document everything, given the circumstances and lack of energy you did wonderfully! 👏🏼

[@eduardoferreramaro3248]

Gracias por tan lido documetal para mostrarlo a nuestras familias en Estados Unidos. Y guardarlo para el futuro. Antes los abuelos nos contaban pero ahora lo podemos grabar.

[@BG-me7sk]

I was in the school of medicine in Ponce during both of this hurricanes. Let me tell you something I got PTSD for the rest of my life after what happened... I don't even like to hear the wind, the sound that the hurricane winds made during the storm is a sound I cannot ever forget. God, it was a very horrible experience, my roommate and I almost did not make it , did I mention how traumatic it has been;)

[@ivette638]

@@BG-me7sk Well I hope that by now you lerned to deal with pts...Maria is still looming in this island, together with earthquakes, politics, economic crisis and now the pandemic. She left but is she back to see the rest.

[@BG-me7sk]

@@ivette638 I am done with school there it was a beautiful experience living in the island until Maria... I pray for all the people I met and still live there, so sad .

[@ivette638]

@@BG-me7sk thank you🙏

[@kaidonblake2833]

Damn this was amazing I didn’t even realize that 48 minuets had passed while I was watching this.

[@terriz7791]

I thought the same thing!

[@sandunguera8954]

Hola Lau!!! Muchos nos identificamos con la profunda experiencia descrita aqui a casi el 1er aniversario desde el impacto directo del Huracan Maria en nuestra bella isla Puerto Rico. Tristemente podemos añadir que hoy 18 de septiembre 2018, quedan muchos asuntos sin resolver: tordos azules por techos en los hogares, tendido electrico, semaforos y postes averriados, puentes caidos, area sin sistema de enerigia electrica incluyendo las calles de los residentes, entre otros. Lamentablemente a quienes con nuestro voto le descargamos la responsabilidad de liderar este pais deficientemente no cumplieron con un plan de emergencia eficaz y eficiente para enfrentar la emergencia catastrofica de parte del gobierno de Puerto Rico y el federal. Nuestra solidaridad con nuestros vecinos, amistades mas cercanos y la familia fue el norte que nos permitio lucir airosos y susistir la experiencia aun cuando todavia hoy y por inaccion nos continuan recordando ese momento con todo lo que aun esta por resolver fuera del control de los ciudadanos. Con la Divina Gracia del Dios Todopoderoso pudimos mantener viva a mi mama a pesar de ser una paciente encamada dependiente total con Alzheimer, lo cual, desde el 19 de septiembre 2017 hasta el 26 de diciembre 2017 estuvimos sin servicio de energia electrica y un par de meses sin agua. En mi caso, la parte mas dificil que recuerdo de esa situacion catastrofica fue el convencer a los demas que se prepararan. Lo que marcara la diferencia entre la vida y la muerte de todos tus seres mas queridos, la proteccion de la propiedad y evitar las filas interminables para abastecerte. Un agradecimiento con todo mi corazon a mi adorado hermano que viviste esta vision mucho antes de tu partida al cielo el 23 de febrero 2013, Juan A. Rivera Negron y a mi querido papi Juan A. Rivera Ortiz, quienes siempre nos enseñaron junto con los simulacros como preparnos ante el embate de un huracan o tormenta!!

[@reilly5351]

Fantastic piece Laura. From watching all the drafts and seeing it all come together in the final was remarkable. You’re the hardest working female on the internet right now and it clearly shows in this documentary. This is another example of how talented you are with film and editing. We’ve seen motivational films, art films and now documentaries from you,showing how versatile you are. Once again, so thankful that you, you’re family and friends are all okay and safe. Puerto Rico will rise up and overcome!!

[@alias134]

This was a freaking AMAZING film!!It was so well put together!! Thankyou for sharing your story with all of us and God bless you and your family

[@LauPlays]

Adene Edwards Thank you Adene!

[@DutchBondFan]

This has to be your most engaging work yet! You are exceptional at making documentary's, and seeing someone's personal expierence brings so much life to what was actually going on, compared to just reading an article about it that pops up on Facebook, back here at the other side of the globe! The parts where Maria hit you at night were were incredible and scary! Yet, I was gripped to the screen, because it's just so engaging to watch! The aftermath was horrible for you guys. It's crazy to see what happens to an otherwise normal country and see all these people in line for gas, all the tree's, stores, roofs and such destroyed, damn! Here in Holland the news of the hurricane's was pretty alive as well, especially because some of 'our' islands (st Maarten, Aruba, the antilles etc) were hit quite hard by it too. But seeing someone you know go through it is defenitely powerful. I'm glad you and your family and friends didn't get hurt, which in the end of the day still is the most important thing. I'd say keep doing stuff like this Laura! Because the editing was spot on, and easily compete's with professional documentaries!

[@LauPlays]

DutchBondFan Thank you so much Jeroen! This is by far one of my favorite comments from you yet! Simply because you experienced the documentary on a personal level, and as a filmmaker that is exactly what I wanted the audience to experience, not like all the storm chasing videos out there which are solely about the hurricanes and the destructions and then the people are secondary. So thank you, for simply enjoying my take on a storm :3 oh and for comparing it to pro documentaries out there! That’s quite the compliment :D

[@aprilchamberlain1677]

Wow you're very brave to be filming while the storm was raging! Me, I would of probably been in the fetal position crying! Thank you for sharing this. I think everyone should be sharing their storm experience before the storm, during, & after. The reason I say that is because you hear about what happens right before, during & a few days afterwards but that's where the media stops. The world doesn't know what is going on with the clean up or if there's rebuilding. I haven't heard much about hurricane Maria since it went through. It's sad! Glad that you & your family are okay!

[@gaby7989]

This video deserves more views

[@LauPlays]

Thank you all so much for the overwhelming amount of support that I STILL continue to receive every single day! I can’t even begin to comprehend how amazing and grateful I feel for all the amazing comments, reactions and even stories I receive from all of you, it’s truly incredible and I am so thankful guys! Just wanted to let you all know that ❤️ Merry Christmas!

[@godjr.5711]

Lau ..you seems to be single, give me your address and I will come and give you the support you need

[@fredthompson222]

2018..So far so good, made it thru August. God let us get thru September and October..please. A dud hurricane season for 2018 would be a blessing!

[@lisamarie8395]

Your documentary was highly impressive! It gave us a surreal insight of what it was like to have been there during the storm. I wish to see another documentary based on what the island is like a year later.

[@brianroldan3269]

You passed right where i lived and back then my parents did not have images to show us and this was the only thing i could see out of my home

[@RiveBassCovers]

Today, more than 3 years later, this video popped up in my recommended feed. And wow, this is a truly amazing documentation of what happened that horrible day. I'm from Coamo and the devastation was pretty bad (much like in the whole island) and we spent about 4 months without power. But watching this and remembering that day reminds me of our fortitude as Puerto Ricans and how we have managed to get back up. The video was great and you have a new subscriber in me

[@bettywhiteandtheboondockers]

I volunteered in PR after Maria and I'm so sorry for everything that island went through. it is a beautiful place. stay strong!

[@tmelendezmia]

Wow Laura! Gracias! This is worthy of being shown on a US National Channel. Send it to the weather channel, see what comes of it. In 1979 as a 15 yrs old teen I was watching how Tropical Storm David was taking a palm tree out of my front yard. A few weeks later, Tropical Storm Federico was crossing the island as meteorologists were trying to pinpoint its location. Since then I have been a little storm geek. You did capture everything, from before Irma thru Maria, and the aftermath; the emotions expressed on your face, including the sadness in your hand as the plane left the island. I wish I would have documented the other side; what it was to be here in Florida not being able to talk to my father for a few days, then the incoming calls at 6am because if was the easiest for him to find a signal (I am an imsoniac also and 6am is not one of my favorite hours) as well as the constant search for supplies to send to him. It was funny how one day there were portable fans at my Walmart, and the next day there were none.Keep it up! My favorite part of the video? Listening to this puertorrican girl speaking english with no accent and all of the sudden saying “diatres” at her grandpas house! 😁

[@MsJossie1]

heartbreaking i went 5 days after and was stunned i cried my eyes out, BUT PUERTO RICO WILL RISE. thanks for your video i am crying but i have faith. god bless u

[@c.inesr.7292]

It still bringing tears to my eyes after a year... I had to wait 3 days to be able to get out of my hood. No way or form to contact my family in an entire week. Lau...Thank U.

[@johnny9223]

Wow. Thank you so much for sharing this. I watched every second. It's a sad yet sort of beautiful story. Also I appreciated it being in English since my Spanish is terrible. Thank you again!

[@Mrwcordero]

Hi Lau. This is the first time I ever comment on someone's video. Your reporting and heartfelt in-depth discussion and feelings truly brought me home. Que Dios te bendiga siempre Y gracias por hacer este video. Wilson

[@angelirizarry2666]

this is the very first video about maria i have ever seen since the storm passed and it is truly haunting. i live in Cupey, TA but i went to Dorado during and after, so this is like reliving the experience from my home (seeing the places you went to, and buildings in the bg of your shots, i see that you live near to my place) i was able to see so much destruction. not a single tree from la area metro to Salinas had leaves. the whole landscape looked like a skeletal valley. i got to see old San Juan maybe 3 days after the storm and it was also utterly destroyed. and lastly i was able to see Campanilla like a week after the storm and the floods and it was truly horrifying. i lost a friend a family as a result of this storm and my girlfriend had to go to a psychiatric hospital for a week cause she was suicidal. i had forgotten how it all felt; from listening to very old music with my family before the storm, to sweeping all the water out of the house, to cutting countless branches, hours long lines for gas, months without electricity and so on. and this video brought it all back, and it is terrible in the end i must thank you for uploading this, it is good that i remember how i felt, and the struggle and the loss. things like these should not be forgotten. now we gotta get ready, cause we're falling back in hurricane season and climate change hasn't gotten any better. again, thanks for the upload

[@LauPlays]

Wow. Thanks for sharing your story, definitely one of the more impactful ones I’ve read. I hope you, your girlfriend and family are well now, and let’s hope nothing but the best going into the next season.

[@miguelangelvlogs5827]

Great video, your ideas, info and edit are fantastic. Thanks for sharing this terrible experience. God Bless! Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 se LEVANTA!

[@edwinmercado8064]

Gracias por compartir tu experiencia 👍Se me aguaron los ojos cuando pones la mano en la ventana del avión y sostienes a la isla en la palma de tu mano mientras te vas alejando, nos echas tus bendiciones.✌️🇵🇷

[@SilentBx]

Wow... such an incredible video... the story, the editing, the footage. Thank you for sharing.

[@basharabukaff1578]

I felt so bad with what happened to ur island, thank god you still alive as well as your family, friends. Take care of urself.

[@LauPlays]

Bashar Abukaff Thanks, Bashar

[@SebastianLopez-zk1or]

Not many could make a 48 minute mini documentary so interesting, I enjoyed it and I’m so sorry for the devastation that was Maria.

[@TheJoselynviera]

Wow I just finished watching and all I have to say is that all the memories came back like a movie playing in my mind. I have three kids and when hurricane Maria hit us my youngest one was only three months old....imagine that! The lines, no electricity, no running water! You felt powerless in front of such devastation. We were the lucky ones and had running water at day 31. The electricity came back at day 74. My parents lived without power at their home for 6 months!! Puerto Rican are truly warriors. This hurricane taught us to appreciate what we have, to have patience and understanding, to love our family, appreciate our neighbors....just to be better people. Great work!!!

[@eleanorparkersapia3714]

Thank you for sharing your incredibly moving and insightful documentary about your experience before, during, and after Hurricane Maria in our homeland. Your last comments on what you learned in the aftermath brought tears to my eyes. Well done, Lau. Keep making documentaries.

[@LauPlays]

Thank you ❤

[@santim1]

wow Lau, asi fue exactamente nuestra experiencia. Very hard experience for all....a life-changing experience actually

[@raulcruz6601]

You have the gift

[@metalheadmaynard2684]

great video. i live in houston and dealt with harvey shortly before your ordeal here. mother nature continues to show us she is the boss. we got 60 inches of rain over the course of 4 days. i have never in my life seen it rain like that. just a week ago we just barely got missed by hurricane laura. many of the places devastated by Laura also went thru harvey to some degree. be safe and keep making videos, you have some great talent

[@blues2oo]

This video/documentary/diary is a gem. Amazing!

[@rafaeljimenez2769]

Great video. I live in PR and yes, certain areas like mine were devastated. I was lucky. One of my houses received minimal damage which can be repaired. I am in SC right now and go back on the 11th of Jan to take supplies. We still have no electricity or internet. Thanks for filming. I wanted to film, but couldn't do much of it due to being part of the recovery team.

[@Stoneman1954]

Hey Lau, I am glad you ok and didn't know you is from Puerto Rico. I have family live in Florida and I also check on them to see if they are ok. I live in Missouri. Thanks for sharing.

[@LauPlays]

+Astonio Tucker Thanks. Not born, but raised here my whole life, I hope your family is ok!

[@natalievalentin5623]

Wow amazing !!! Gracias. Mi experiencia fue muy parecida a la tuya. El.video màs completo que he visto del antes y despuès del huracàn.

[@joshuabeltran6369]

Thank you so much for sharing your story! You and your family showed so much strength and resilience.

[@tere5977]

Gracias Mamy por tu sincera vista de este horrible huracan. You are a wonderful film maker and this is the first video I see of this devastating hurricane with such passion and honesty. God bless you and your family and keep u safe.

[@gabriellarodriguez1195]

You did an amazing job! The craziest part is you live almost next door to me. Im so impressed with your documentation. Keep it up!!!

[@LauPlays]

Thank you so much! Where are you from?

[@sweetrouble420]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I have friends/coworkers who lived through Maria with you, and I am just so thankful many survived. God bless you

[@fiend05able1]

Thank you for sharing your experience

[@LauPlays]

Duck Films thank you for watching it ❤️

[@Strayawayfelix]

Excellent video and documentation of your dramatic ordeal before, during and after Maria. Thanks for sharing. Love your dogs.

[@melissasmith8963]

you did an amazing job covering this. so sorry for what your island went through. We have friends that just moved there and say the island is looking good but you can still see the effects. He shared your video in light of the anniversary. Thank you for sharing and i hope your life is more back to normal but with new perspective and gratefulness .

[@noobalater16]

Great video Lau! Well worth the wait. I think you did a great job putting this together in such a stressful situation. I'm glad you're okay and happy with the experience you gained through it all. Glad you tried out this documentary style for it. ☺

[@LauPlays]

Andrew Erkert Thank you so much, Andrew!!

[@sandy4498]

You did an amazing job. I’m in Florida and Irma hit us in Orlando badly. Nothing compared like how strong was Maria there. God bless you

[@Jacobsladder375]

Blessings and thanks for sharring your story. Like yourself I also went thru this hurricane and can relate on many things you mention here. I hope things get better for everyone affected bye this event. God bless 🇵🇷

[@nicholltupak]

Only 11 minutes in and omg.. this is like a scary movie. Amazing footage so far, you have a lot of talent.

[@terriz7791]

Wow, this made me speechless. I am flying to San Juan next week for a cruise. It feels so weird knowing what you have all gone through, and I'm coming for a vacation.

[@angelirizarry2666]

Terri Zielke kinda late but dont feel bad, its good that you're helping stimulate our economy

[@mastropoll1]

Wow, what an excellent, moving video! I hope all is well with you and your family.

[@LivingWithSpinaBifida]

This is an amazing and scary first person experience Thank god you are okay lau. I am sharing this video on facebook with my friends and hopefully they share this video. I want more people to see the first hand devastation storms like this make. You and the rest of the islands, that were affected by these storms, are in my thoughts and prayers.

[@LauPlays]

RussianRooster Thank you for the support and for sharing my experience!

[@itsenzo3000]

Hallelujah ! . A full length documentary from the legendary LAU .

[@iseevivi]

At 35:00... the anxiety.. the hopeless feeling.. I'll never forget it.

[@isabellacruz5611]

I love this documentary of Hurricane María, it was amazing how you put all together. I have lived in Puerto Rico my whole life, even through María. It was hard not having light or signal for months. It was almost a year when we finally recieved light without it coming and going. I lived in Toa Baja meanwhile Hurricane María happend and I still live there. My friend lived in Ocean Park and her house was so flooded with the ocean , that they found huge fish in their house. I hope that everyone that lived the tragedy of María are okay now.

[@THEPLANETEARTH]

Most beautiful video I’ve ever seen on KZbin

[@MiguelHernandez-pi4ie]

WHAT IS SO BEAUTIFUL ABOUT THIS VIDEO? TELL ME. WHO KNOW, YOUR COUNTRY MIGHT BE NEXT WITH A FUCKING DISASTER THEN I WILL POST THE SAME THING AS YOU DID.

[@KatrinaFelix]

@@RoyCyberPunk Wow... You guys are idiots. Have you watched the whole video?

[@RoyCyberPunk]

Katrina Felix There's nothing beautiful about Hurricane Maria. Her documentary is excellent but there's nothing beautiful about a category 4 major hurricane and it's aftermath.

[@palavos3891]

@@RoyCyberPunk cat 5. Yes it was beautiful in a certain way.

[@RoyCyberPunk]

palavos 3 No it was Cat. 4 when it reached the island although just barely by 2mph for being classified as 4 instead of 5. Again there's nothing beautiful about a monster hurricane making landfall on populated areas at all. You are sick to even think that way.

[@JoseGonzalez-1747]

Very well made documentary, congratulations Lau.

[@CarMor.A316]

Heavy! I lived the experience from the center of the island. My apartment's roof got screwed up, lost few belongings, and lived the horrific aftermath till Nov 2. Now I'm in Texas looking to go back on a few more months. Like you said in the end, this experince made us grow and took our lives on ways we would never thought. I have watery eyes right now btw! 😅😢 And this documentary was awesome! Blessings to you and your loved ones! 🙌🙏❤🇵🇷

[@LauPlays]

Charlie! Makes me so happy to have read your comment, seeing as we had similar experiences! Enjoy your time in Texas with all the luxuries we once took for granted, and all the best of luck to you and your family and home when you decide to come back! 😊

[@raulcruz6601]

You are right. It feels strangely. Like an uncomfortable pressure before it hits. You can feel when you breathe how is sucking the oxygen in the air hours ahead

Thank you for being Laura and sharing your experience...it was riveting

[@glorilysgarcia1755]

I cried my heart out so much for my land this has been horrible..

[@JCVAL848]

You just made me relive Maria all over again. Great video.

[@reynaldoamidmaldonado6674]

Justo acabo de ver tu video... Waooo recordé cada momento como si fuera hoy! Sobrevivimos!

[@joshdavenport5685]

Beautiful video.

[@kristy3041]

I dont know why this is coming up in my recommendations but i have subscribed and im glad you're ok. Im sorry that you and all the people there experienced such a terrible Hurricane and the president seemed to not care to help. It's also saddening all the damage done around such a beautiful island.

[@enitmelendz5802]

Excellent documentation of María; but .. please to God nevar come back one again. Bless..

[@mmvale420]

Hola, niña que gran documental de tu experiencia. Saludos desde San Sebastian, PR. Bendiciones!!!

[@Dreamki7843]

Thank goodness your still alive I missed you and your vids

[@palavos3891]

Magnificent and wonderful footage. I want to see a storm like that in person. Great job Lau.

[@josecolon2717]

I remember this well... From bailing water for 24hours, to clearing storm drains on rooftops... the storm was so strong it shredded plant material to mulch and that had to be cleared. The morning after, I had to fight a mongoose bare handed and then to quarantine my dog that was bitten.(no rabies for either of us) 2 days after that we got the TV working again, and that was an interesting experience... with both an inside and outside view on events. 8 months of this... it’s an experience I will never forget

[@kippaseo8027]

When Hurricane Andrew hit Miami when I was a kid it was the thing that I remember the most aside from everybody's house being destroyed. There were no shade trees anymore. It was just flat and bright so I totally understand. When you would drive a little bit north towards Fort Lauderdale the contrast was amazing because they didn't lose any of their trees.. 25 years later and there still is a difference

[@BrooklyngirlLovesCrochet]

Wow. One of the best firsthand videos of Maria I've seen. It was rough. All of my footage was lost when my phone was stolen a month after the storm. I was crying not for the phone but for the footage!

[@DakshRamchandani]

Awesome video Laura👍 In July/August we had a continuous downpour of rain one day and night. The feeling of staying in was quite like this. (Although nowhere near as devastating)

[@LauPlays]

Daksh Ramchandani Thanks Daksh.. we had one of those after Maria and apparently it flooded the island again and worse. However I wasn’t in PR at the time..

[@emmaavgousianski6731]

I loved your video, its truly unbelievable how powerful the mother nature is compare to humans, I felt sorry that all those beautiful trees got destroyed that's sad, thank god you and your family went well through that helll!!!

[@limitlessends]

Excellent narrative. You are a budding director and I hope to see more of your work in the future. Thank you for sharing your experience with the world.

[@FrankieSabath]

Honey, I hope you got into broadcasting because you are a natural, you have the talent of getting people engaged in your story, and keeping their attention, apart that you have great skills on narration, as a PR I am proud of you

[@agustindejesus7398]

Lau i like you video thank for keeping us updated in new york. Somehow i missed the first week just watched today

[@alexhayward8996]

Anyone else here after seeing her footage on Vice’s video? Fantastic coverage of hurricane Maria!

[@franciscojoel]

Thank you for taking the time to create this excellent video journal.

[@O.Bey7Podcast]

Excellent video ! Thank you for sharing it!

[@michaelespeland]

I can tell, a lot of work went into this video. Your style of editing is quite fresh and informative! And, I bet that McDonalds were open during the eye of the hurricane too

[@LauPlays]

Thank you! Haha I love your sense of humor

[@daibelizaltreche1073]

Saludos y te felicito por como trabajastes, narrastes y documentastes en un momento tan difícil para todos en Puerto Rico este suceso. Encontré tu video porque ahora comienza acá en EU las tormentas y tornados y estaba viendo videos de tornados y llegué a tu video; esperamos en Dios que no llegue ningún otro fenómeno para ningún otro lugar y menos en PR.

[@luisss8886]

Wow this hurricane had no mercy for beautiful puerto rico and im puertorican but i dont live in puerto rico but i go there for vacation sometimes.all the fear that hurricane maria gave to puerto rico.I cant even imagine not having electricity for 1 year or more than that.Im so glad you are safe and your family much love from connecticut

[@jcextranow]

This was the BIG ONE for Puerto Rico. Hopefully there wont be another hurricane like that for another 85 years or longer

[@chadmurrell3247]

Lau you're very awesome and thanks to the lord your still alive after the hurricanes.

[@LauPlays]

Chad Murrell Thanks, Chad!

[@chadmurrell3247]

Lau your welcome.

[@cheranguista]

"Things as simple as a cell phone for granted" , Encontre esa frase muy interesante; no estoy criticando negativamente: solo que para los que nacimos en los 70; nuestras prioridades durante los otros huracanes que hemos vivido como Hugo en 1989; nuestra prioridad era agua, hielo y comida; solo luego pensabamos en comunicaciones y hasta gasolina. Es una reflexion de como cambian los tiempos y como en estas crisis que nos acercan a nuestra humanidad y nuestras debilidades; nos trastocan a cada uno, asi con nuestras individualidades y realidades. Excelente video Lau; me he subscrito a tu canal, mucha suerte !!

[@LizRodriguez0418]

Lo de loa celulares era por que la mayoría de las personas en puerto rico tiene familia viviendo en los estados y muchas personas estaban desesperados por dejarles saber a sus parientes que estaban bien.

[@iamthegrinch1]

I was on my work in Guaynabo that day, ones the hurricane passed and it was done with it’s full force, I just leaved the police headquarters to San Lorenzo. What is normally a 45 minutes driving back home, I spent 2hrs 20 minutes driving to my house. Everything was devastated, no trees whatsoever. Driving the opposite direction and all. I remember just getting home and when my mother knew I was there, she started crying. I took my uniform off, put a short jeans I had and started chopping trees and debris with a axe and a machete, helping my neighbors. A really sad thing but everyone helped to each other.

[@Kay2be2mr]

I remember waking up maybe at 6:00 am to my house flooding from the bathroom. The winds blew many leaves into the gutters which prevented the water from escaping any other way except the vent in the bathroom. Everyone in the house was sweeping water out and collecting it with towels and then straining it, my dad was collecting all the water coming in with buckets as best he could and then dumping it in the bathtub, and there was no pausing. We couldn't stop or the house would've flooded completely because the amount of water coming in was like a waterfall. That process continued for 8 straight hours until our neighbor noticed that we were in distress and climbed up to the roof for us and cleared the gutters so the water would stop coming in through the vent. Also this is why my dad always taught me to keep the gas tank full and to always buy enough boxes of water. Thanks to that, we didn't have to leave the house for anything for the first week and a half. It was like a scene from the walking dead out there. If we didn't have to leave the house for something important, we wouldn't. Despite all this, we were the lucky ones. So many people lost their loved ones, so many people bed ridden while this happened. With no one who could go out and get supplies for them. I cry every time I think about it.

[@LightBluly]

I am now into 14 mins and so far, i love the documentary! I will continue once i reach home from school. Also, i hope that you, your family and friends will be alright and safe. My prayers to everyone who affected. Even though its bad but at least you have experience of hurricane, no Internet and going survival mode. I never experience of hurricane and earthquick because i am on the safe zone.

[@LauPlays]

+SpareBrains561 it’s not a fun experience, but I wouldn’t take it back because I’ve learned a lot, it has put my life on perspective!

[@LauPlays]

+SpareBrains561 and thank you!

[@TheBlueCreeper-]

My experience with Maria was basically just looking out the balcony and watching how the “waves” of wind broke down trees as it approached us. Pretty scary sh*t. We were pretty much the opposite of everyone else: everyone stayed indoors in the dark while we just HAD to see the storm so we kept our windows open and went out to the balcony lol. That was so stupid. But hey! We were all safe and not a single scratch on our house so thank God for that! Im glad you’re ok

[@alesandro5880]

Thank you for this. That was so impressive, so intense. Glad you made it through. Your cutting and editing is just so good. Had to subscribe to your channel. Love from Germany

[@alesandro5880]

btw don't know why I didn't know you three years ago. Shame upon yt algorithm

[@BBMthemuffinman]

Wow. Very incredible and powerful video. Thank you for sharing your first hand experience. I hope you guys get the necessary help and god bless

[@LauPlays]

BBM_OverPlays Thank you so much! I am well now

[@LauPlays]

BBM_OverPlays and PR is very slowly getting back on its feet

[@TheTenof12]

THANK YOU soooo much for documenting and sharing such a calamitous event. Such a beautiful part of the World with beautiful people "she will rise again from the carnage" You will be a better person for it and we must never forget how to Human. ;-) :-) Blessings to you.

[@ricardoturriagosaltos6811]

Me gustó mucho el cómo documentaste todo, le diste un toque realista y serio. Espero que ahora 4 años después para ti haya quedado como un mal recuerdo sólamente, vi en las noticias acá en Ecuador cuando Irma destruyó PR (Y eso que no tocó tierra), ese huracán fue el más famoso de esa temporada ciclónica pero no daban importancia a María porque simplemente no golpeó a los EEUU, incluso hablaban más de Harvey. Aún no es de creer cómo toda esa isla se fue abajo en menos de 3 semanas. Les mando mis oraciones a la gente de Puerto Rico 🙏🇵🇷 PD: Qué cámara usaste para grabar? Me gustó la nitidez.