Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Maria over Puerto Rico on September 20
Meteorological history
DurationSeptember 19–21, 2017
Category 4 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds155 mph (250 km/h)
Lowest pressure920 mbar (hPa); 27.17 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities2,982 (estimated)
Damage$90 billion (2017 USD)
Areas affectedPuerto Rico
Part of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season
History
 • Meteorological history

Effects
Lesser Antilles
 • Dominica
U.S territory
 • Puerto Rico
 • Death toll controversy

Other wikis
 • Commons: Maria images

Between September 19-21, 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated the entire island of Puerto Rico and caused a major humanitarian crisis. Originally as a powerful Category 5 hurricane, Maria was the strongest storm to impact the island in nearly 90 years. Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico on September 20 as a high-end Category 4 storm, bringing a large storm surge, very heavy rains, and wind gusts well above 100 mph (160 km/h). It flattened neighborhoods, crippled the island's power grid, and caused an estimated 2,982 fatalities and US$90 billion in damage.

Background

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Hurricane Irma's effect

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2019)

See also: Hurricane Irma's effects in Puerto Rico and Hurricane Irma's aftermath in Puerto Rico

Hurricane Irma passed north of Puerto Rico on September 6, causing US$1 billion in damages and 3 deaths.[1][2] Some parts of the island received heavy rainfall, causing flash floods, seven rivers to overflow, and six landslides.[3] About 25 to 30% of banana, coffee, papaya, and plantain crops were damaged. [3]

Before Hurricane Maria hit the island, approximately 80,000 people were still without power as Maria approached.[4]

Storm history up to landfall

Radar image of Hurricane Maria at 0950 UTC 20 September, just before landfall in Puerto Rico. This was the last image from the radar before it was destroyed.

Maria first developed into a tropical depression on September 16 while it was located about 665 miles (1,070 km) east of Barbados.[5] Favorable conditions allowed the storm to strengthen throughout the day, and a convective burst over the center propelled Maria to hurricane strength late on September 17.[6] Over the next 24 hours, Maria explosively strengthened to Category 5 status just 15 miles (24 km) east-southeast of Dominica,[7][8] before making landfall on that island early on September 19.[9] Despite some slight weakening, Maria reached peak intensity early on September 20 while roughly 30 miles (48 km) south of St. Croix, with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (282 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 908 mbar (26.8 inHg).[5]

Infrared satellite loop of Maria passing south of St. Croix, Vieques, and making landfall in Puerto Rico on September 20

Maria made its closest approach to St. Croix around 05:00 UTC on September 20, passing within 20 miles (32 km) of the island; the storm's outer eyewall lashed the island, but the inner eyewall remained offshore.[10] Hours later, the outer eyewall hit Vieques, an island off of Puerto Rico's eastern coast.[11] By this time, an eyewall replacement cycle had caused Maria to weaken to Category 4 strength.[12] Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, just south of Yabucoa, around 10:15 UTC, with sustained winds of 155 mph (249 km/h) and a central pressure of 920 mbar (27 inHg).[5] It was the second strongest recorded hurricane to hit the island, surpassed only by the 1928 San Felipe Segundo hurricane, the only Category 5 hurricane to strike Puerto Rico.[13]

Infrastructure and recession

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), whose debt had already reached $9 billion before the hurricanes, eventually filed for bankruptcy. Furthermore, the company has lost 30 percent of its employees since 2012. Aging infrastructure across the island makes the grid more susceptible to damage from storms; the median age of PREPA power plants is 44 years. The company's safety record is also not up to par, and local newspapers frequently describe poor maintenance and outdated controls.[14]

In the decade preceding Maria, Puerto Rico suffered from major financial decline and crippling debt from poor fiscal management. Early in 2017, the territory filed for bankruptcy as its public debt reached $74 billion. A change in taxation policy prompted an exodus of lucrative business and reduced tax revenue; unemployment rates reached 45 percent.[15]

Preparations

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2019)

Forecasts of Hurricane Marias track from the National Hurricane Center proved to be "highly accurate," with the agency's second advisory—issued on September 16—predicting it would strike Puerto Rico as a major hurricane.[16]

Evacuation orders were issued in Puerto Rico in advance of Maria, and officials announced that 450 shelters would open in the afternoon of September 18.[17] As of September 19, at least 2,000 people in Puerto Rico had sought shelter.[18]

Impact

Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Puerto Rico
Highest-known totals
Precipitation Storm Location Ref.
Rank mm in
1 1,058.7 41.68 Fifteen 1970 Jayuya 1 SE [19]
2 962.7 37.90 Maria 2017 Caguas [20]
3 845.6 33.29 Eloise 1975 Dos Bocas [19]
4 822.9 32.40 Fiona 2022 Marueno [1]
5 804.4 31.67 Isabel 1985 Toro Negro Forest [21]
6 775.0 30.51 Georges 1998 Jayuya [19]
7 751.8 29.60 San Felipe II 1928 Adjuntas [22]
8 662.2 26.07 Hazel 1954 Toro Negro Tunnel [23]
9 652.5 25.69 Klaus 1984 Guavate Camp [19]
10 596.4 23.48 Hortense 1996 Cayey 1 NW [19]

Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico on Wednesday, September 20.[24] Sustained winds of 64 mph (103 km/h), with gusts up to 113 mph (182 km/h), were reported in the capital city of San Juan shortly before landfall. After landfall, gusts of 109 mph (175 km/h) were reported at Yabucoa Harbor, and gusts of 118 mph (190 km/h) at Camp Santiago.[25] A minimum barometric pressure reading of 926.6 mbar (27.36 inHg) was reported in Yabucoa.[5] In addition, very heavy rainfall occurred throughout the territory, peaking at 37.9 in (960 mm) in Caguas.[26] Widespread flooding, waist-deep in some areas, affected San Juan, and the roof was blown off of numerous structures.[24] San Juan's coastal La Perla neighborhood was largely destroyed.[27] Cataño saw extensive damage, with the Juana Matos neighborhood estimated to be 80 percent destroyed.[28] Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, San Juan's primary airport, was slated to reopen on September 22.[29]

Extensive damage occurred to hundreds of thousands of buildings throughout Puerto Rico due to high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, wave action and landslides. Ricardo Rosselló estimated that over 300,000 homes had been destroyed and many more damaged across the commonwealth. Other estimates included 166,000 residential buildings damaged or destroyed and 472,000 housing units having received major damage or having been destroyed.[30]

Storm surge inundation as high as 9 ft (2.7 m) above ground level occurred along the southeastern coast, and flash flooding stemming from floodgate releases at La Plata Lake Dam converged on the town of Toa Baja, trapping thousands of residents. Survivors indicate that flood waters rose at least 6 ft (1.8 m) in 30 minutes, reaching a depth of 15 ft (4.6 m) in some areas. More than 2,000 people were rescued when military relief reached the town. At least eight people died due to the flooding while many are unaccounted for.[5][31][needs update]

Thousands of homes suffered varying degrees of damage while large swaths of vegetation were shredded by the hurricane's violent winds.

The hurricane completely destroyed the island's power grid, leaving all 3.4 million residents without electricity.[28][32][33] Puerto Rican governor Ricardo Rosselló stated that it could take months to restore power in some locations,[34] with San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz estimating that some areas would remain without power for four to six months.[35] Communication networks were crippled across the island. Ninety-five percent of cell networks were down with 48 of the island's 78 counties' networks rendered completely inoperable.[32] Eighty-five per cent of above-ground phone and internet cables were knocked out.[36] Only one radio station, WAPA 680 AM, remained on-air through the storm.[32]

NEXRAD radar destroyed by Maria

The NEXRAD Doppler weather radar of Puerto Rico had also been literally blown away. The radome which covers the radar antenna, was destroyed in the 130-mph winds, and the 30-foot-wide radar dish was blown from the pedestal, which remained intact. The radar is located at an elevation of 2,800 feet and the anemometer at the site measured winds of about 145 mph before communications broke, which means winds at that height were likely 20 percent higher than what was seen at sea level, possibly reaching Category 5 levels. Its replacement will take a few months.[37]

The nearby island of Vieques suffered similarly extensive damage. Communications were largely lost across the island. There was widespread property damage and many structures were leveled.[38] The remaining structures on the island of Culebra were extremely vulnerable to Maria's powerful winds after having recently experienced major damage due to Hurricane Irma, causing the complete destruction of many wooden houses, along with blown off roofs and sunken boats.[5]

Hurricane Maria at Coast Guard Sector San Juan

The recreational boat Ferrel, carrying a family of four, issued a distress signal while battling 20 ft (6.1 m) seas and 115 mph (185 km/h) winds on September 20.[39] Communications with the vessel were lost near Vieques on September 20. The United States Coast Guard, United States Navy, and British Royal Navy conducted search-and-rescue operations utilizing an HC-130 aircraft, a fast response cutter, USS Kearsarge, RFA Mounts Bay and Navy helicopters.[40] On September 21, the mother and her two children were rescued, but the father drowned inside the capsized ship.[39]

Maria's Category 4 winds broke a 96-foot (29 m) line feed antenna of the Arecibo Observatory. It fell 500 feet (150 m) puncturing the dish below, greatly reducing its functionality until repairs can be made.[41][42][needs update?]

Maria caused many factories in Puerto Rico to close, including factories that make IV bags. This led to a shortage of IV bags on the mainland,[43] exacerbating an H3N2 outbreak that killed at least 30 children.[44]

Damage estimates and economic impact

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2019)

On September 24, Governor Rosselló estimated that the damage from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico exceeded the $8 billion damage by Hurricane Georges.[45] He later estimated that Maria caused at least US$ 90 billion in damage.[46][47] Approximately 80 percent of the territory's agriculture was destroyed by the hurricane; losses are estimated at $780 million.[48] Plantains, bananas and coffee farms were severely damaged and more than 90% of Puerto Rico's poultry was destroyed.[49]

Emotional impact

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2019)

Many people were not equipped to handle the lasting effects of the damage this storm wrought on the island. Food and potable water were hard to come by, even months after the storm, compounding feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Blackouts ravaged the island after the hurricane hit, knocking out power to hospitals which stretched the healthcare system.[50] Patients noted that their services were cut down, while healthcare providers called out the Puerto Rican government for "abandoning" them during a stressing time.[50] New and expecting mothers experienced a greater exposure risk to health issues because Hurricane Maria created an environment for pathogens and environmental toxins to thrive.[51]

Survivors have stated they will never forget it.[52] Suicide rates spiked after Hurricane Maria, especially among the elderly.[53] Cases of depression also increased and, in some cases, lead to weight loss.[54] Some still feel the emotional effects while looking at pictures or recounting stories.[55] For the young people on the island, witnessing the aftermath has left them with high levels of posttraumatic stress disorder.[56] The number of indirect deaths from the stormed greatly surpassed that of direct deaths from Maria, but also the direct and indirect deaths of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma which made landfall around the same time.[57]

Anxiety was high among survivors as well, with many fearing health issues and injuries.[58] On the western side of the island, it was rumored that water was being pumped by AAA to homes from Guajataca. The damage to the reservoir and further rumors that the lake was going to run dry increased levels of anxiety in residents of the region. When water service finally returned, it was unreliable and many still depended on bottled water.

Impact on gender-based violence

The long lines to access vital resources increased numbers of sexual harassment against women; furthermore the lack of government resources for employment and housing made it difficult for women facing domestic abuse to escape, increasing the likelihood of becoming a victim of intimate partner violence (IPV).[59] A record number of 23 women were murdered and classified as IPV in 2018, and the numbers went up each year after.[60][61] The intimate partner violence rate in Puerto Rico jumped to 1.7 per 100,000 women in 2018, while the rate was 0.77 per 100,000 in 2017.[60]

Death toll

Reported Deaths in Puerto Rico by Month and Year[62]
2017 2016 2015
September 2,838 2,366 2,242
October 2,119 2,353 2,379
Total (September and October) 4,957 4,719 4,621

Main article: Hurricane Maria death toll controversy

In the months following Maria, media outlets, politicians, and investigative journalists questioned the official death toll of 64 from the Government of Puerto Rico. A two-week investigation in November 2017 by CNN of 112 funeral homes—approximately half of the island—revealed 499 hurricane-related deaths between September 20 and October 19. Funeral homes became so overwhelmed by the number of bodies that in one instance a facility's director in Vega Alta died from a stress-induced heart attack.[63] Two scientists, Alexis Santos and Jeffrey Howard, estimated the death toll in Puerto Rico to be 1,085 by the end of November 2017. They utilized average monthly deaths and the spike in fatalities following the hurricane. The value only accounted for reported deaths, and with limitations to communication the actual toll could have been even higher. By the end of November, the Puerto Rican government maintained that their report of 55 fatalities was the most accurate despite ample contrary evidence collected by media and investigative journalists.[64] Utilizing a similar method, The New York Times indicated an increase of 1,052 fatalities in the 42 days following Maria compared to previous years. Significant spikes in causes deaths compared to the two preceding Septembers included sepsis (+47%), pneumonia (+45%), emphysema (+43%), diabetes (+31%), and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's (+23%).[65] Robert Anderson at the National Center for Health Statistics conveyed the increase in monthly fatalities was statistically significant and likely driven in some capacity by Hurricane Maria.[65]

By mid-December Governor Rossello ordered a recount and new analysis of the official death toll.[66] On August 28, 2018, the Government of Puerto Rico revised the official death toll to be 2,975 people, ranking Maria as one of the deadliest hurricanes in United States history. The official estimate is based on a study commissioned by the governor of Puerto Rico.[67]

Aftermath

There's a humanitarian emergency here in Puerto Rico.... This is an event without precedent.

— Ricardo Rosselló, Governor of Puerto Rico[68]

The power grid was effectively destroyed by the hurricane, leaving millions without electricity.[69] Governor Ricardo Rosselló estimated that Maria caused at least 90 billion dollars in damage.[46][47] As of September 26, 95% of the island was without power, less than half the population had tap water, and 95% of the island had no cell phone service.[70] On October 6, a little more than two weeks after the hurricane, 89% still had no power, 44% had no water service, and 58% had no cell service.[71] One month after the hurricane, 88% of the island was without power (about 3 million people), 29% lacked tap water (about 1 million people), and 40% of the island had no cell service. Three months after the hurricane, 45% of Puerto Ricans still had no power, over 1.5 million people.[72] Fourteen percent of Puerto Rico had no tap water; cell service was returning with over 90% of service restored and 86% of cell towers functioning.[73]

Two weeks after the hurricane, international relief organization Oxfam chose to intervene for the first time on American soil since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.[73]

Relief supplies unloaded by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents

One month after the hurricane, all hospitals were open, but most were on backup generators that provide limited power. About half of sewage treatment plants on the island were still not functioning. FEMA reported 60,000 homes needed roofing help, and had distributed 38,000 roofing tarps.[74] The island's highways and bridges remained heavily damaged nearly a month later. Only 392 miles of Puerto Rico's 5,073 miles of road were open. A month later, some towns continued to be isolated and delivery of relief supplies including food and water were hampered—helicopters were the only alternative.[75]

As of October 1, there were ongoing fuel shortage and distribution problems, with 720 of 1,100 gas stations open.[76]

The Guajataca Dam was structurally damaged, and on September 22, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for parts of the area in response.[77] Tens of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate the area, with about 70,000 thought to be at risk.[78]

The entirety of Puerto Rico was declared a Federal Disaster Zone shortly after the hurricane.[68] The Federal Emergency Management Agency planned to open an air bridge with three to four aircraft carrying essential supplies to the island daily starting on September 22.[32] Beyond flights involving the relief effort, limited commercial traffic resumed at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport on September 22 under primitive conditions. A dozen commercial flights operated daily as of September 26.[79] By October 3, there were 39 commercial flights per day from all Puerto Rican airports, about a quarter of the normal number.[80] The next day, airports were reported to be operating at normal capacity.[81] In marked contrast to the initial relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, on September 22, the only signs of relief efforts were beleaguered Puerto Rican government employees.[82] The territory's government contracted 56 small companies to assist in restoring power.[68] Eight FEMA Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) teams were deployed to assist in rescue efforts.[83]

Debris-clogged roads added to logistical challenges faced by rescue and relief crews.

On September 24, the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge and the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill under Rear Admiral Jeffrey W. Hughes along with the 2,400 marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived to assist in relief efforts.[84][85][86][87] By September 24, there were 13 United States Coast Guard ships deployed around Puerto Rico assisting in the relief and restoration efforts: the National Security Cutter USCGC James; the medium endurance cutters USCGC Diligence, USCGC Forward, USCGC Venturous, and USCGC Valiant; the fast response cutters USCGC Donald Horsley, USCGC Heriberto Hernandez, USCGC Joseph Napier, USCGC Richard Dixon, and USCGC Winslow Griesser; the coastal patrol boat USCGC Yellowfin; and the seagoing buoy tenders USCGC Cypress and USCGC Elm.[88] Federal aid arrived on September 25 with the reopening of major ports. Eleven cargo vessels collectively carrying 1.3 million liters of water, 23,000 cots, and dozens of generators arrived.[89] Full operations at the ports of Guayanilla, Salinas, and Tallaboa resumed on September 25, while the ports of San Juan, Fajardo, Culebra, Guayama, and Vieques had limited operations.[83] The United States Air Force Air Mobility Command has dedicated eight C-17 Globemaster aircraft to deliver relief supplies.[83] The Air Force assisted the Federal Aviation Administration with air traffic control repairs to increase throughput capacity.[83]

The United States Transportation Command moved additional personnel and eight U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from Fort Campbell, Kentucky to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport to increase distribution capacity.[83] The United States Army Corps of Engineers deployed 670 personnel engaged in assessing and restoring the power grid; as of September 25, 83 generators were installed and an additional 186 generators were en route.[83] As of September 26, agencies of the U.S. government had delivered 4 million meals, 6 million liters of water, 70,000 tarps and 15,000 rolls of roof sheeting.[90] National Guard troops were activated and deployed to Puerto Rico from Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.[91]

Members of the South Carolina National Guard assisting with clean up efforts in Caguas

On September 29, the hospital ship USNS Comfort left port at Norfolk, Virginia to help victims of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and arrived in San Juan on October 3. A couple of days later, the Comfort departed on an around the island tour to assist, remaining a dozen miles off shore.[92] Patients were brought to the ship by helicopter or boat tender after being referred by Puerto Rico's Department of Health. However, most of the 250 bed floating state-of-the-art hospital went unused despite overburdened island clinics and hospitals because there were few referrals.[93][94] Governor Rosselló explained on or about October 17 that "The disconnect or the apparent disconnect was in the communications flow" and added "I asked for a complete revision of that so that we can now start sending more patients over there."[94] After remaining offshore for three weeks, the Comfort docked in San Juan on October 27, briefly departing only once to restock at sea from a naval resupply ship.[92] As of November 8, the Comfort's staff had treated 1,476 patients, including 147 surgeries and two births.[95]

On September 27, the Pentagon reopened two major airfields on Puerto Rico and started sending aircraft, specialized units, and a hospital ship to assist in the relief effort; Brigadier General Richard C. Kim, the deputy commanding general of United States Army North, was responsible for coordinating operations between the military, FEMA and other government agencies, and the private sector.[96] Massive amounts of water, food, and fuel either had been delivered to ports in Puerto Rico or were held up at ports in the mainland United States because there was a lack of truck drivers to move the goods into the interior; the lack of communication networks hindered the effort as only 20% of drivers reported to work.[97] As of September 28, the Port of San Juan had only been able to dispatch 4% of deliveries received and had very little room to accept additional shipments.[98] As of September 28, 44 percent of the population remained without drinking water and the U.S. military was shifting from "a short term, sea-based response to a predominantly land-based effort designed to provide robust, longer term support" with fuel delivery a top priority.[99] A joint Army National Guard and Marine expeditionary unit (MEU) team established an Installation Staging Base at the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Station; they transported via helicopter Department of Health and Human Services assessment teams to hospitals across Puerto Rico to determine medical requirements.[99] On September 29, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp which had been providing relief activities to the island of Dominica was diverted to Puerto Rico.[100] As of September 30, FEMA official Alejandro de la Campa stated that 5% of electricity, 33% of the telecommunications infrastructure, and 50% of water services had been restored to the island.[101]

More than a week after Hurricane Maria struck, residents of Ponce, Puerto Rico wait in long lines at an ATM to withdraw cash.[102]

On September 28, 2017, Lieutenant General Jeffrey S. Buchanan was dispatched to Puerto Rico to lead all military hurricane relief efforts there and to see how the military could be more effective in the recovery effort, particularly in dealing with the thousands of containers of supplies that were stuck in port because of "red tape, lack of drivers, and a crippling power outage".[103][104] On September 29 he stated that there were not enough troops and equipment in place but more would be arriving soon.[105]

With centralized fossil-fuel-based power plants and grid infrastructure expected to be out of commission for weeks to months, some renewable energy projects were in the works, including the shipment of hundreds of Tesla Powerwall battery systems to be integrated with solar PV systems[106] and Sonnen solar microgrid projects at 15 emergency community centers; the first were expected to be completed in October.[107] In addition, other solar companies jumped into help, including Sunnova and New Start Solar. A charity called Light Up Puerto Rico raised money to both purchase and deliver solar products, including solar panels, on October 19.[108]

Many TV and movie stars donated money to hurricane relief organizations to help the victims of Harvey and Maria. Prominently, Jennifer Aniston pledged a million U.S. dollars, dividing the amount equally between the Red Cross and The Ricky Martin Foundation for Puerto Rico. Martin's foundation had raised over three million dollars as of October 13.[109]

On October 10, 2017, Carnival Cruise Lines announced that it would resume departures of cruises from San Juan on October 15, 2017.[110] On October 13, both CNN and The Guardian reported that Puerto Ricans were drinking water that was being pumped from a well at an EPA Superfund site;[111][112] the water was later determined to be safe to drink.[113]

On October 13, the Trump administration requested $4.9 billion to fund a loan program that Puerto Rico could use to address basic functions and infrastructure needs.[114] As of October 20, only 18.5% of the island had electricity, 49.1% of cell towers were working, and 69.5% of customers had running water, with the slowest restoration in the north.[115] Ports and commercial flights were back to normal operations, but 7.6% of USPS locations, 11.5% of supermarkets, and 21.4% of gas stations were still closed.[115] 4,246 people were still living in emergency shelters, and tourism was down by half.[115] As of November 5, more than 100,000 people had left Puerto Rico for the mainland.[116] A December 17 report indicated that 600 people remained in shelters while 130,000 had left the island to go to the mainland.[117]

Possible leptospirosis outbreak

Standing water in Ponce, Puerto Rico, more than a week after Hurricane Maria hit the island

An outbreak of leptospirosis may have affected survivors in the weeks following the hurricane. The bacterial infection is contracted through water contaminated with animal urine, with an incubation period of 2 to 30 days. Since large areas of Puerto Rico were without tap water, residents were forced to use other sources of water that may be contaminated, such as local streams. By October 23, four people were suspected of having died from the disease while 74 others were suspected of being infected.[118] There were 18 confirmed cases, 4 confirmed deaths and 99 suspected cases by November 7.[119] Puerto Rico averages 5 cases of leptospirosis per month under normal conditions. Despite the possibility of an outbreak, officials did not deem the situation being as dire.[118]

Recovery in 2018

This section's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions. (July 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Puerto Rico is a major manufacturer of medical devices and pharmaceuticals, with this sector representing 30% of its economy.[120] Its factories either shut down or were greatly in reduced production because of the hurricane, and have been slowly recovering since.[121] This caused a months-long shortage of some medical supplies in the United States, especially IV bags.[122][123] Small IV bags often come prefilled with saline or common drugs in solution, and have forced health care providers to find alternative methods of drug delivery.[121][122] In January 2018, when the shortage was projected to ease, flu season came and lead to a spike in demand.[122]

By the end of January 2018, approximately 450,000 people remained without power island-wide.[124] On February 11, an explosion and fire damaged a power substation in Monacillo,[125] causing a large blackout in northern parts of the island including San Juan, Trujillo Alto, Guaynabo, Carolina, Caguas, and Juncos. Cascading outages affected areas powered by substations in Villa Bettina and Quebrada Negrito.[124]

Recovery after 2018

In 2018, electric and water service was restored to most of the island, though outages continued. In 2020, FEMA officials indicated that the island was not prepared for another hurricane.[126]

By four years after the storm, most of the reconstruction work had not been begun, let alone completed.[127] As of September 2021, FEMA had only delivered 18% of funds allocated for the island.[128] As of 2021, of the 19,558 homes affected by the hurricane which requested financial assistance, only 1,651 had been repaired or remodeled.[129] On September 23, 2021, the governor Pedro Pierluisi stated the government had identified 7,060 homes in 39 municipalities which lost their roofs during the hurricane and still used blue tarps.[130]

Criticism of U.S. government response

San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz (pictured with federal agency employees) harshly criticized the federal response to Maria in Puerto Rico as inadequate.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not immediately waive the Jones Act for Puerto Rico, which prevented the commonwealth from receiving any aid and supplies from non-U.S.-flagged vessels from U.S. ports[131] (ships arriving direct from non-US ports were not subject to the Act). A DHS Security spokesman said that there would be enough U.S. shipping for Puerto Rico, and that the limiting factors would be port capacity and local transport capacity.[132][133][134] The Jones Act was waived for a period of ten days starting on September 28 following a formal request by Puerto Rico Governor Rosselló.[135]

San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz called the disaster a "terrifying humanitarian crisis" and on September 26 pleaded for relief efforts to be sped up.[136] The White House contested claims that the administration was not responding effectively.[137] General Joseph L. Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, defended the Trump Administration's response, and reiterated that relief efforts were hampered by Puerto Rico being an island rather than on the mainland.[138] President Donald Trump responded to accusations that he does not care about Puerto Rico: "Puerto Rico is very important to me, and Puerto Rico – the people are fantastic people. I grew up in New York, so I know many people from Puerto Rico. I know many Puerto Ricans. And these are great people, and we have to help them. The island is devastated."[139][neutrality is disputed]

Frustrated with the federal government's "slow and inadequate response", relief group Oxfam announced on October 2 that it planned to get involved in the humanitarian aid effort, sending a team to "assess a targeted and effective response" and support its local partners' on-the-ground efforts.[140] The same day, the group released this statement: "While the US government is engaged in relief efforts, it has failed to address the most urgent needs. Oxfam has monitored the response in Puerto Rico closely, and we are outraged at the slow and inadequate response the US Government has mounted," said Oxfam America's president Abby Maxman. "Oxfam rarely responds to humanitarian emergencies in the US and other wealthy countries, but as the situation in Puerto Rico worsens and the federal government's response continues to falter, we have decided to step in. The US has more than enough resources to mobilize an emergency response, but has failed to do so in a swift and robust manner."[141] In an update on October 19, the agency called the situation in Puerto Rico "unacceptable" and called for "a more robust and efficient response from the US government".[142]

A rally for victims of the hurricane and Puerto Rico's status in general, in Long Beach, California, on October 3

On October 3, 2017, President Trump visited Puerto Rico. He compared the damage from Hurricane Maria to that of Hurricane Katrina, saying: "If you looked — every death is a horror, but if you look at a real catastrophe like Katrina, and you look at the tremendous hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people that died, and you look at what happened here with really a storm that was just totally overbearing, nobody has seen anything like this (...) What is your death count as of this morning, 17?".[143] Trump's remarks were widely criticized for implying that Hurricane Maria was not a "real catastrophe".[144][145] While in Puerto Rico, Trump also distributed canned goods and paper towels to crowds gathered at a relief shelter[146] and told the residents of the devastated island "I hate to tell you, Puerto Rico, but you've thrown our budget a little out of whack, because we've spent a lot of money on Puerto Rico, and that's fine. We saved a lot of lives."[147]

On October 12, Trump tweeted, "We cannot keep FEMA, the Military & the First Responders, who have been amazing (under the most difficult circumstances) in P.R. forever!",[148] prompting further criticism from lawmakers in both parties;[149] Mayor Cruz replied, "You are incapable of empathy and frankly simply cannot get the job done."[112] In response to a request for clarification on the tweet from Governor Rosselló, John F. Kelly assured that no resources were being pulled and replied: "Our country will stand with those American citizens in Puerto Rico until the job is done".[15]

After visiting Puerto Rico about two months after the hurricane, Refugees International issued a report that severely criticized the slow response of the federal authorities, noted poor coordination and logistics, and indicated the island was still in an emergency mode and in need of more help.[117]

Whitefish Contract

Comparison of lights at night in Puerto Rico before (top) and after (bottom) Hurricane Maria

Soon after the hurricane struck, Whitefish Energy, a small Montana-based company with only two full-time employees, was awarded a $300 million contract by PREPA, Puerto Rico's state-run power company, to repair Puerto Rico's power grid, a move considered by many to be highly unusual for several reasons.[150] The company contracted more than 300 personnel, most of them subcontractors, and sent them to the island to carry out work. PREPA cited Whitefish comparatively small upfront cost of $3.7 million for mobilization as one of the main reasons for contracting them over larger companies. PREPA Executive Director Ricardo Ramos stated: "Whitefish was the only company – it was the first that could be mobilized to Puerto Rico. It did not ask us to be paid soon or a guarantee to pay".[151] No requests for assistance had been made to the American Public Power Association by October 24.[151] The decision to hire such a tiny company was considered highly unusual by many, such as former Energy Department official Susan Tierney, who stated: "The fact that there are so many utilities with experience in this and a huge track record of helping each other out, it is at least odd why [the utility] would go to Whitefish".[150] Several representatives, both Democrats and Republicans, also voiced their concern over the choice to contract Whitefish instead of other companies.[151] As the company was based in Whitefish, Montana, the hometown of US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, and one of Zinke's sons had once done a summer internship at Whitefish, Zinke knew Whitefish's CEO personally. These facts led to accusations of privatization and cronyism, though Zinke dismissed these claims and stated that he had no role in securing the contract.[150] In addition, Donald Trump himself, not just his cabinet, may having been involved in Whitefish obtaining the contract, as Whitefish's primary investor, HBC Investments, was founded by a prominent donor of Donald Trump.[152]

In a press release on October 27, FEMA stated it did not approve of PREPA's contract with Whitefish and cited "significant concerns".[153] Governor Rosselló subsequently ordered an audit of the contract's budget. DHS Inspector General John Roth led the FEMA audit while Governor Rosselló called for a second review by Puerto Rico's Office of Management and Budget.[154] The governor then demanded that the contract be cancelled; this was executed on October 29.[155]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Pasch, Richard; Reinhart, Brad; Alaka, Laura (March 23, 2023). Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Fiona (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  2. ^ Michelle Kaske and Alexander Lopez (September 19, 2017). "Puerto Rico Faces Hurricane Maria After Irma's $1 Billion Damage". Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. Archived from the original on September 20, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Cindy Burgos Alvarado (September 17, 2017). "Wrap-up of damages in P.R. caused by Hurricane Irma". Casiano Communications. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  4. ^ Sullivan, Brian; Fieser, Ezra (September 20, 2017). "Maria Latest Threat to Puerto Rico After $1 Billion Irma Hit". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on September 20, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Richard J. Pasch; Andrew B. Penny; Robbie Berg (April 5, 2018). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Maria (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 20, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  6. ^ Cangialosi, John (September 17, 2017). "Hurricane Maria Discussion Number 6". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  7. ^ Brown, Daniel; Blake, Eric (September 18, 2017). Hurricane Maria Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 20, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  8. ^ Brown, Daniel (September 18, 2017). Hurricane Maria Special Discussion Number 11 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 19, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  9. ^ Brown, Daniel; Blake, Eric (September 18, 2017). Hurricane Maria Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 19, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  10. ^ Blake, Eric (September 20, 2017). Hurricane Maria Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 24, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  11. ^ Blake, Eric (September 20, 2017). Hurricane Maria Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  12. ^ Pasch, Richard (September 20, 2017). Hurricane Maria Discussion Number 17 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 24, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  13. ^ José de Córdoba and Joseph De Avila (September 20, 2017). "Hurricane Maria Slams Into Puerto Rico". The Wall Street Journal. San Juan, Puerto Rico. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  14. ^ Mufson, Steven (September 21, 2017). "Puerto Rico's electric company was already $9 billion in debt before hurricanes hit". The Star. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  15. ^ a b Peter Baker and Caitlin Dickerson (October 12, 2017). "Trump Warns Storm-Ravaged Puerto Rico That Aid Won't Last 'Forever'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  16. ^ Andrew Freedman (September 29, 2017). "Trump administration got a 5-day warning that Maria would be a disaster, so why the surprise?". Mashable. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  17. ^ Shapiro, Emily; Hoyos, Joshua; Golembo, Max; Allen, Karma (September 18, 2017). "Hurricane Maria upgraded to 'extremely dangerous' Category 4, islands including Puerto Rico brace for impact". ABC News.
  18. ^ Luis Ferré-Sadurní; Frances Robles (September 19, 2017). "Puerto Rico Braces for 'Potentially Catastrophic' Hit by Hurricane Maria". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 19, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  19. ^ a b c d e Roth, David M. (January 3, 2023). "Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima". Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Data. United States Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved January 6, 2023. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  20. ^ "Hurricane Maria Live Updates: In Puerto Rico, the Storm 'Destroyed Us'". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  21. ^ Roth, David M (June 27, 2007). "Tropical Storm Isabel – October 4 – 16, 1985". United States Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  22. ^ Mújica-Baker, Frank. Huracanes y tormentas que han afectado a Puerto Rico (PDF) (Report) (in Spanish). Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Agencia Estatal para el Manejo de Emergencias y Administración de Desastres. pp. 3–4, 7–10, 12–14. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  23. ^ Higgs, Ralph L (1954). "Severe Floods of October 12–15, 1954 in Puerto Rico" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review. 82 (10). American Meteorological Society: 301–304. Bibcode:1954MWRv...82..301H. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1954)082<0301:SFOOIP>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 1520-0493. Retrieved January 8, 2008.
  24. ^ a b Ferré-Sadurní, Luis; Hartocollis, Anemona (September 20, 2017). "Maria Strikes, and Puerto Rico Goes Dark". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  25. ^ "Hurricane Maria Public Advisory". National Hurricane Center. NOAA. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  26. ^ "Hurricane Maria Live Updates: In Puerto Rico, the Storm 'Destroyed Us'". The New York Times. 21 September 2017. Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  27. ^ "'Despacito' made this neighborhood famous. Hurricane Maria left it in ruins". WREG. September 22, 2017. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  28. ^ a b "Hurricane Maria Live Updates: In Puerto Rico, the Storm 'Destroyed Us'". The New York Times. September 21, 2017. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  29. ^ Yan, Holly (September 21, 2017). "Maria kills 15 people in Dominica, leaves Puerto Rico in the dark for months". Cable News Network. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  30. ^ "Mitigation Assessment Team Report -Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico" (PDF). FEMA. October 2018.
  31. ^ Ferré-Sadurní, Luis (September 22, 2017). "In a Puerto Rican Town, 'Water Came Out of Nowhere'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  32. ^ a b c d Hernandez, Estefania (September 22, 2017). "'Helpless, Worried and Sick': Puerto Rico's Vast Outages Leave Relatives on Mainland Worried". NBC New York. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  33. ^ "Whole of Puerto Rico without power". BBC. September 20, 2017. Archived from the original on September 20, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  34. ^ "Puerto Rico governor: Power could be out for months". CNN. September 21, 2017. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  35. ^ Schwartz, Gadi; Johnson, Alex; Arkin, Daniel (September 21, 2017). "All Power Out as Hurricane Maria's Winds, Floods Crush Puerto Rico". NBC. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  36. ^ Coghlan, Andy (26 September 2017). "Thousands of Puerto Ricans evacuated as dam threatens to breach". newscientist.com. New Scientist Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  37. ^ Jonathan Belles (September 25, 2017). "Puerto Rico Radar Obliterated After It Takes a Direct Hit From Hurricane Maria". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017..
  38. ^ Juliana Rose Pignataro (September 21, 2017). "Vieques Devastated By Hurricane Maria, New Pictures And Videos Reveal Wreckage". International Business Times. Archived from the original on October 5, 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  39. ^ a b Dooley, Erin (September 21, 2017). "Woman, children rescued from capsized ship near Puerto Rico". ABC News. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  40. ^ "The Latest: Boat missing off Puerto Rico with 4 aboard". Miami Herald. Associated Press. September 21, 2017. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  41. ^ Drake, Nadia (September 22, 2017). "Hurricane Damages Giant Radio Telescope—Why It Matters". National Geographic. Archived from the original on September 24, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  42. ^ Kaplan, Sarah (September 22, 2017). "Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico's famous telescope, is battered by Hurricane Maria". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  43. ^ "Flu Widespread in 46 States" (vido). weather.com. The Weather Channel. 10 January 2018. pp. 00:25–00:36. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018. To make matters worse there's a shortage of IV bags The plants in Puerto Rico that make them were shut down when Hurricane Maria hit
  44. ^ Wright, Pam (20 January 2018). "Flu Epidemic Has 'a Lot More Steam' Than Expected; At Least 30 Children Dead". www.weather.com. The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018. At least 30 children have died from the flu.
  45. ^ Jose de Cordoba (September 24, 2017). "Puerto Rico Tallies Up Devastation From Hurricane Maria". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on September 25, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  46. ^ a b "Hurricane death toll in Puerto Rico more than doubles to 34, governor says". TheGuardian.com. Associated Press. October 4, 2017. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  47. ^ a b "Puerto Rico governor raises hurricane's official death toll to 34, damage tab to $90 billion". Japan Times. October 4, 2017. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  48. ^ Frances Robles and Luis Ferré-Sadurní (September 24, 2017). "Puerto Rico's Agriculture and Farmers Decimated by Maria". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 25, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  49. ^ "Webinar - EWP in the Caribbean Area (1/2019)". YouTube. NRCS. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  50. ^ a b Rodríguez-Madera, Sheilla L.; Varas-Díaz, Nelson; Padilla, Mark; Grove, Kevin; Rivera-Bustelo, Kariela; Ramos, Jeffrey; Contreras-Ramirez, Violeta; Rivera-Rodríguez, Sergio; Vargas-Molina, Ricardo; Santini, Jose (2021-11-10). "The impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico's health system: post-disaster perceptions and experiences of health care providers and administrators". Global Health Research and Policy. 6 (1): 44. doi:10.1186/s41256-021-00228-w. ISSN 2397-0642. PMC 8577961. PMID 34753513.
  51. ^ Welton, Michael; Vélez Vega, Carmen M.; Murphy, Colleen B.; Rosario, Zaira; Torres, Hector; Russell, Elle; Brown, Phil; Huerta-Montanez, Gredia; Watkins, Deborah; Meeker, John D.; Alshawabkeh, Akram; Cordero, José F. (2020-01-01). "Impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on Puerto Rico Maternal and Child Health Research Programs". Maternal and Child Health Journal. 24 (1): 22–29. doi:10.1007/s10995-019-02824-2. ISSN 1573-6628. PMC 7059554. PMID 31728717.
  52. ^ ""Eso es una fecha que no se me va a olvidar nunca" – El Nuevo Día". "Eso es una fecha que no se me va a olvidar nunca" – El Nuevo Día (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  53. ^ "Amid new hurricane season, Maria still taking a toll on Puerto Rico's elderly". PBS NewsHour. July 11, 2018. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  54. ^ "Trauma recurrente: las consecuencias del cambio climático en la salud mental en Puerto Rico". Centro de Periodismo Investigativo (in European Spanish). 2020-09-10. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  55. ^ Scaramutti, Carolina; Salas-Wright, Christopher P.; Vos, Saskia R.; Schwartz, Seth J. (February 2019). "The Mental Health Impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico and Florida". Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. 13 (1): 24–27. doi:10.1017/dmp.2018.151. ISSN 1935-7893. PMID 30696508. S2CID 59411786 – via PubMed.
  56. ^ Orengo-Aguayo, Rosaura; Stewart, Regan W.; de Arellano, Michael A.; Suárez-Kindy, Joy Lynn; Young, John (2019-04-05). "Disaster Exposure and Mental Health Among Puerto Rican Youths After Hurricane Maria". JAMA Network Open. 2 (4): e192619. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.2619. ISSN 2574-3805. PMC 6487632. PMID 31026024.
  57. ^ Willison, Charley E.; Singer, Phillip M.; Creary, Melissa S.; Greer, Scott L. (2019-01-01). "Quantifying inequities in US federal response to hurricane disaster in Texas and Florida compared with Puerto Rico". BMJ Global Health. 4 (1): e001191. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001191. ISSN 2059-7908. PMC 6350743. PMID 30775009.
  58. ^ López-Cepero, Andrea; O’Neill, H. June; Marrero, Abrania; Falcon, Luis M.; Tamez, Martha; Rodríguez-Orengo, José F.; Mattei, Josiemer (2022-09-01). "Association between adverse experiences during Hurricane María and mental and emotional distress among adults in Puerto Rico". Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 57 (12): 2423–2432. doi:10.1007/s00127-022-02355-2. ISSN 1433-9285. PMC 9434507. PMID 36048184.
  59. ^ "Puerto Rican Women Are Fighting Back Against Systemic Violence on the Island - The Takeaway". WNYC Studios. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  60. ^ a b "In Puerto Rico, an Epidemic of Domestic Violence Hides in Plain Sight". Type Investigations. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  61. ^ Observatorio de Equidad de Género PR (2021-11-23). "Feminicidios, Desapariciones y Violencia de Género 2021" (PDF).
  62. ^ Coto, Danica (November 11, 2017). "Puerto Rico reports increase in overall deaths after storm". Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  63. ^ Sutter, J.D.; Santiago, L.; Shah, K. (November 21, 2017). "After CNN investigation, Puerto Rico asks funeral homes to help identify hurricane deaths". CNN. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  64. ^ Eliza Barclay and Alexia Fernández Campbell (November 29, 2017). "New data shows hurricane deaths in Puerto Rico could be 20 times higher than the government claims". Vox. Archived from the original on November 29, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  65. ^ a b Frances Robles; Kenan David; Sheri Fink; Sarah Almukhtar (December 9, 2017). "Official Toll in Puerto Rico: 64. Actual Deaths May Be 1,052". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  66. ^ Arelis R. Hernandez (December 18, 2017). "Puerto Rico governor orders recount of hurricane death toll". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 19, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  67. ^ Baldwin, Sarah Lynch; Begnaud, David (28 August 2018). "Hurricane Maria caused an estimated 2,975 deaths in Puerto Rico, new study finds". CBS News. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  68. ^ a b c Coto, Danica (September 22, 2017). "Puerto Rico faces weeks without electricity after Maria". ABC News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  69. ^ "NOAA Satellites". Twitter. September 25, 2017. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  70. ^ Bacon, John (September 26, 2017). "Why Puerto Rico faces a monumental recovery effort". USA Today. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  71. ^ Bump, Philip (October 6, 2017). "FEMA buried updates on Puerto Rico. Here they are". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  72. ^ Robles, Frances; Bidgood, Jess (December 29, 2017). "Three Months After Maria, Roughly Half of Puerto Ricans Still Without Power". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 2, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  73. ^ a b Holmes, Jack (December 21, 2017). "Here's What Life is Like in Puerto Rico 3 Months After Hurricane Maria". Esquire. Archived from the original on January 2, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  74. ^ Holmes, Jack (October 19, 2017). "1 Month Later in Puerto Rico, the Situation Is Still Horrifying". Esquire. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017. (slideshow)
  75. ^ Dapena, Kara; Hernandez, Daniela; Campo-Flores, Arian (October 20, 2017). "Inside Puerto Rico's Struggle to Recover a Month After Hurricane". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  76. ^ Fausset, Richard (October 1, 2017). "Puerto Rico Is Getting a Surge of Aid, Governor Says". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  77. ^ "Hurricane Maria Live Updates: Structural Damage at Dam Prompts Evacuations in Puerto Rico". The New York Times. September 22, 2017. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  78. ^ Schmidt, Samantha; Somashekhar, Sandhya; Cassady, Daniel (September 22, 2017). "Post Nation 70,000 in Puerto Rico urged to evacuate immediately as dam is in 'imminent' danger of failure". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 22, 2017.[dead link]
  79. ^ Jervis, Rick (September 25, 2017). "'It's like the end of the world' inside San Juan's steaming airport". USA Today. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  80. ^ Horowitz, Julia (October 3, 2017). "5 numbers that prove Puerto Rico is still in crisis". CNN. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  81. ^ "status.pr". October 4, 2017. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017.
  82. ^ Alen, Mike. "White House spins sunny recovery". Axios AM. Archived from the original on October 2, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  83. ^ a b c d e f FEMA: "Federal Agencies Continue Hurricane Maria Response and Relief Operations" Archived 2017-09-27 at the Wayback Machine September 25, 2017
  84. ^ Washington Post: "Puerto Rico governor: 'We still need some more help' from Washington" by Ed O'Keefe Archived 2017-09-25 at the Wayback Machine September 24, 2017
  85. ^ Stars & Stripes: "Military conducting multiple operations to help Hurricane Maria-struck Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands" By Corey Dickstein Archived 2017-09-30 at the Wayback Machine September 25, 2017
  86. ^ CNN: "US Navy ship's response efforts in Puerto Rico" Archived 2017-10-01 at the Wayback Machine retrieved September 28, 2017
  87. ^ CBS News: "U.S. military beefs up its efforts in Puerto Rico as need for vital supplies grows" Archived 2017-10-02 at the Wayback Machine September 28, 2017
  88. ^ Coast Guard News: "Coast Guard continues hurricane response in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands" Archived 2017-10-05 at the Wayback Machine September 25, 2017
  89. ^ Danica Coto (September 25, 2017). "Official: Hurricane Maria set Puerto Rico back decades". KXAN. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  90. ^ Military Times: "Hospital ship Comfort heading to Puerto Rico" by Tara Copp Archived 2017-10-02 at the Wayback Machine September 26, 2017
  91. ^ Cedar Attanasio (September 26, 2017). "How the Connecticut National Guard is helping hurricane victims in Puerto Rico". Connecticut Post. Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  92. ^ a b "Hospital Ship Helps More Puerto Ricans at the Pier than at Sea". The Maritime Executive. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  93. ^ Hernandez, Daniela (19 October 2017). "A U.S. Navy Hospital Ship Was Sent to Puerto Rico—It's Barely Been Used". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  94. ^ a b Santiago, Leyla; Simon, Mallory (October 17, 2017). "There's a hospital ship waiting for sick Puerto Ricans – but no one knows how to get on it". CNN. Archived from the original on October 17, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  95. ^ "USNS Comfort Restocks to Continue Post-Hurricane Care". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  96. ^ Lamothe, Dan (September 27, 2017). "After pleas for more help, Pentagon sends one-star general to lead Puerto Rico recovery". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  97. ^ CNN: "Vital aid stranded at Puerto Rico's main port" By Patrick Gillespie, Rafael Romo and Maria Santana Archived 2017-10-07 at the Wayback Machine September 27, 2017
  98. ^ CNN: "Puerto Rico's aid is trapped in thousands of shipping containers" by Patrick Gillespie, Rafael Romo and Maria Santana Archived 2017-10-07 at the Wayback Machine September 28, 2017
  99. ^ a b U.S. Army: "Army, DOD officials provide update on hurricane relief efforts" Archived 2017-10-07 at the Wayback Machine September 28, 2017
  100. ^ The Virginian-Pilot: "Navy sending another combat ship to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico" by Dan Lamothe Archived 2017-09-30 at the Wayback Machine September 29, 2017
  101. ^ CNN: "Puerto Ricans fire back at Trump for critical tweets" By Ralph Ellis Archived 2017-10-08 at the Wayback Machine September 30, 2017
  102. ^ Heinlein, Peter (30 September 2017). "Trump Blasts Mayor of Hurricane-Devastated San Juan, Puerto Rico". voanews.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-06. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
  103. ^ Stanglin, Doug. "U.S. military dispatches three-star general to Puerto Rico amid charges of supply snafus". USA Today. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  104. ^ Starr, Barbara; Cohen, Zachary (September 28, 2017). "Pentagon names 3-star general to lead Puerto Rico efforts". CNN. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  105. ^ Mitchell, Ellen (September 29, 2017). "'Not enough' troops, equipment in Puerto Rico, says general in charge of relief". The Hill. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  106. ^ Korosec, Kirsten (September 28, 2017). "Tesla Is Helping Puerto Rico Get Power After Hurricane Maria". Fortune. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  107. ^ Martin, Chris (October 2, 2017). "Puerto Rico to Get Power Relief From German Microgrid Supplier". Bloomberg L.P. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  108. ^ "Solar rushes in to re-light hope in Puerto Rico". pv magazine USA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  109. ^ Shepard, Jack (October 13, 2017). "Jennifer Aniston has donated $1 million to Puerto Rico to help with Hurricane Maria relief". The Independent. Archived from the original on October 14, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  110. ^ USA Today: "Carnival to resume sailings from San Juan, Puerto Rico on Sunday" by Gene Sloan Archived 2017-10-10 at the Wayback Machine October 10, 2017
  111. ^ Sutter, John D. "Desperate Puerto Ricans are drinking water from a hazardous-waste site". CNN. Archived from the original on October 14, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  112. ^ a b Milman, Oliver; Holpuch, Amanda (October 12, 2017). "Trump hints at ending aid as Puerto Ricans forced to drink polluted water". The Guardian. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  113. ^ Lavandera, Ed. "Expert: Water from a polluted Puerto Rico site 'safe to drink'". CNN. Archived from the original on October 20, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  114. ^ CNN: "San Juan mayor slams Trump over tweets: He's a 'hater-in-chief'" By Leinz Vales Archived 2017-10-22 at the Wayback Machine October 13, 2017
  115. ^ a b c "statusPR". October 20, 2017. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  116. ^ "Puerto Rico's storm of misery". CBS News. 5 November 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-11-06. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  117. ^ a b Danica Coto (December 17, 2017). "Report slams local, US hurricane response in Puerto Rico". ABC News. Archived from the original on December 19, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  118. ^ a b Emma Curtis (October 23, 2017). "What is leptospirosis, the deadly disease spreading in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico?". AccuWeather. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  119. ^ Cordero, David (November 7, 2017). "Aumenta la cantidad de casos sospechosos y confirmados de leptospirosis en Puerto Rico". Metro. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  120. ^ "Securing the Future for Puerto Rico: Restoring the Island's robust Medical Product Manuring Sector" (PDF). EPA. 2017. pp. 4–5. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-11-14. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  121. ^ a b Thomas, Katie (October 23, 2017). "U.S. Hospitals Wrestle With Shortages of Drug Supplies Made in Puerto Rico". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 19, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  122. ^ a b c Saker, Annie; Rudavsky, Shari (January 14, 2018). "Hospitals find other ways to deliver medicine amid IV bag shortage". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  123. ^ Kodjak, Alison (2017-11-15). "Hurricane Damage To Manufacturers In Puerto Rico Affects Mainland Hospitals, Too". National Public Radio. Archived from the original on 2018-01-13. Retrieved 2019-01-01.
  124. ^ a b Leyla Santiago and Susannah Cullinane (February 12, 2018). "Explosion cuts power in Puerto Rico". CNN. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  125. ^ Scott Neuman (February 12, 2018). "Explosion At Substation Plunges Parts Of Puerto Rico Into Darkness Once Again". NPR. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  126. ^ "FEMA le advierte a Wanda Vázquez que su gobierno no está preparado para la temporada de huracanes". Primera Hora (in Spanish). 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  127. ^ Acevedo, Nicole. "Puerto Rico's progress still stalled four years after Maria". NBC News. Archived from the original on 2021-09-19. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  128. ^ NotiCel, Antonio Gómez/ Especial para. "A cuatro años de María solo se ha desembolsado el 18% de los fondos de FEMA". www.noticel.com. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  129. ^ "Hurricane María: The Reconstruction Process has barely begun". El Nuevo Día. 2021-09-19. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  130. ^ VOCERO, Maricarmen Rivera Sánchez, EL (20 September 2021). "El gobernador admite que aún quedan más de 7,000 casas que tienen toldos azules en 39 municipios". El Vocero de Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-09-24.((cite web)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  131. ^ "Fact-Checking Inaccurate News About the Jones Act". September 29, 2017. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  132. ^ "America denies Puerto Rico request for waiver to bring vital fuel and supplies to island". Independent.co.uk. September 27, 2017. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  133. ^ Ed Pilkington (September 26, 2017). "Trump finally responds to Puerto Rico crisis, saying island has 'massive debt'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  134. ^ Nelson Denis (September 25, 2017). "The Law Strangling Puerto Rico". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  135. ^ "White House waives Jones Act in response to Puerto Rico devastation". CBS News. 28 September 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-10-02. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
  136. ^ Daniella Silva and Sandra Lilley (September 27, 2017). "Mayor Issues 'S.O.S.' as Puerto Ricans Scramble to Help Most Vulnerable". NBC News. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  137. ^ "Does Trump care about Puerto Rico's hurricane victims?". BBC. September 26, 2017. Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  138. ^ Ellen Mitchell (September 26, 2017). "National Guard leaders says he's seen no delay in federal help to Puerto Rico". The Hill. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  139. ^ Stracqualursi, Veronica; Kelsey, Adam (September 27, 2017). "Trump to visit hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, says he is 'very proud' of response". ABC News. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  140. ^ Hui, Mary (4 October 2017). "Donald Trump criticised by Oxfam for 'slow and inadequate' Puerto Rico response". The Independent. Archived from the original on October 8, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  141. ^ "Despite desperate shortages, US fails to mount robust response in Puerto Rico". www.oxfamamerica.org. Archived from the original on October 8, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  142. ^ "One month on, millions of Puerto Ricans still caught in crisis". Oxfam America. October 19, 2017. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  143. ^ Easley, Jonathan (October 3, 2017). "Trump compares Hurricane Maria, Katrina 'death counts'". The Hill. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  144. ^ Kimble, Lindsay (October 3, 2017). "Donald Trump Boasts Puerto Rico Should Be 'Proud' More Haven't Died Like in 'a Real Catastrophe Like Katrina'". People. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  145. ^ Frej, Willa; Fang, Marina (October 3, 2017). "Trump Downplays Puerto Rico's Suffering, Says It's Not A 'Real Catastrophe Like Katrina'". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  146. ^ Vitali, Ali (October 3, 2017). "Trump Throws Paper Towels to Hurricane Victims in Puerto Rico". NBC News. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  147. ^ Easley, Jonathan (October 3, 2017). "Trump: Puerto Rico has 'thrown our budget a little out of whack'". The Hill. Archived from the original on October 11, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  148. ^ Thomas, Ken; Taylor, Andrew (October 12, 2017). "Trump lashes out at Puerto Rico as House passes $36.5 billion aid package". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  149. ^ Rucker, Philip; Hernández, Arelis R.; Roig-Franzia, Manuel (October 12, 2017). "Trump threat to abandon Puerto Rico recovery sparks a backlash". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  150. ^ a b c Mufson, Steven; Gillum, Jack; Davis, Aaron C.; Hernández, Arelis R. (2017-10-23). "Small Montana firm lands Puerto Rico's biggest contract to get the power back on". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 2017-10-24. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
  151. ^ a b c Erin Dooley; Stephanie Ebbs; Joshua Hoyos (October 24, 2017). "Lawmakers asking why small Montana business landed $300M Puerto Rico power restoration contract". ABC News. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  152. ^ Klippenstein, Ken (October 24, 2017). "$300m Puerto Rico Recovery Contract Awarded to Tiny Utility Company Linked to Major Trump Donor". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on February 25, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  153. ^ "FEMA cites concerns over repair contract in Puerto Rico". Reuters. October 27, 2017. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  154. ^ Oren Dorell (October 27, 2017). "Puerto Rico's Gov. Rosselló orders audit of Whitefish contract to fix power grid". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  155. ^ Held, Amy (29 October 2017). "Puerto Rico's Power Authority Cancels Controversial Whitefish Contract". NPR. Archived from the original on 2018-03-27. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
Categories