Two days after Hurricane Maria tore through the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, leaving millions without power, pop star Jennifer Lopez revealed that she still hasn't heard from her family that lives on the island.
The 48-year-old singer was born in the Bronx, New York, to Puerto Rican parents and still has many family members living on the island.
She isn't the only one making a plea for donations and aide to help the residents recover from the deadly storm. Ricki Martin, Marc Anthony and Rosie Perez are among the celebrities using their star power to raise awareness for the country in the aftermath of the storm.
"What's on my mind is what's going on in Puerto Rico. The devastation is beyond belief," JLo said in an Instagram post. "Me and my cousin still haven't been able to hear from our families over there.
"What's foremost on my mind and many others is trying to figure out the best way to help," she added. "Today, Puerto Rico needs our help. I urge you to support and donate to the efforts of the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Areizaga. Together we can help rebuild our island, and the Caribbean."
Other stars have made moving pleas that have captured the hearts of everyone online.
Ricki Martin was born in Puerto Rico, and he posted a similar plea on his Instagram account.
"Hello everyone this is Ricky Martin and I need your help," the star said in an emotional video.
"Puerto Rico needs you at the moment. Just go to youcaring.com/rickymartin and help us. Donate whatever you can, just one dollar would make a difference. If everyone would give me a dollar, my goodness. Puerto Rico is in a precarious position at the moment. We can't do it alone. We need you."
As of Friday afternoon, Martin's YouCaring site has raised nearly $162,000.
Marc Anthony, posted a similar video to Lopez and Martin's asking for help for the people of the island to rebuild what was lost. The 49-year-old singer made the plea after two major hurricanes, Irma and Maria, ripped through the island causing flooding and ripping trees from the ground with the strong winds.
The Category 4 storm, Maria, made landfall early Wednesday morning leaving millions without homes and knocking out power completely. It was the most powerful storm to hit the island since 1932.
Experts estimate it will take 6 months to restore power to the 3.5 million people who live in Puerto Rico. Cell phone service has also been completely shut off, so it comes as no surprise that people are having a hard time checking on loved stranded after the storm.
"This is total devastation," Carlos Mercader, a spokesman for Puerto Rico's governor, told CNN. "Puerto Rico, in terms of the infrastructure, will not be the same... This is something of historic proportions."
So far 10 people have lost their lives in Puerto Rico and as they search for survivors it's feared that that number will climb.
"It will take a while to get to those that need it the most," the aid worker shared. "I'm 54 years old and I've never seen devastation like this. The human spirit is gonna have to rise up real high, and I'm sure we have the strength to do it, but we have to find it within ourselves."
Despite the devastation caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, there still are two months left in the Atlantic hurricane season, which continues until November 30.
