Nearly 500,000 Puerto Ricans could emigrate in Maria's wake

ASTANA. KAZINFORM More than 470,000 Puerto Ricans may leave the island for the mainland United States in the next two years due to the effects of Hurricane Maria, the Center for Puerto Rican Studies says in a report, according to EFE .

"Hurricane Maria's impact on Puerto Rico and its population is unprecedented," authors Edwin Melendez and Jennifer Hinojosa wrote.