dg> I think it will be very interesting and also telling for President Trump and Americans in general, on how we Americans respond to the tragedy in Puerto Rico. When you consider the already bankrupt financial situation PR was already in before Maria hit. How America responds and helps to rebuild of this "territory" with be very interesting.
A Stunned Puerto Rico Seeks to Rebuild After Hurricane MariaTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS (DANICA COTO)
September 21, 2017, 3:34 AM EDT September 21, 2017, 10:11 AM EDT
Damaged fishing boats in the San Juan Bay.
Source: The Washington Post via Getty Images
San Juan, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Rescuers fanned out to reach stunned victims Thursday after Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, knocking out electricity to the entire island and triggering landslides and floods.
The extent of the damage is unknown given that dozens of municipalities remained isolated and without communication after Maria hit the island Wednesday morning as a Category 4 storm with 155 mph winds, the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in over 80 years.
Uprooted trees and widespread flooding blocked many highways and streets across the island, creating a maze that forced drivers to go against traffic and past police cars that used loudspeakers to warn people they must respect a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew imposed by the governor to ensure everyone's safety.
"This is going to be a historic event for Puerto Rico," said Abner Gomez, the island's emergency management director.
Damage after the passage of Hurricane Maria, in San Juan, on Sept. 20, 2017.
Photographer: Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images
President Donald Trump approved a federal disaster declaration for Puerto Rico.
Previously a Category 5 with 175 mph (281 kph) winds, Maria hit Puerto Rico as the third-strongest storm to make landfall in the U.S., based on its central pressure. It was even stronger than Hurricane Irma when that storm roared into the Florida Keys earlier this month.
In the capital of San Juan, towering eucalyptus trees fell nearly every other block over a main road dotted with popular bars, restaurants, and coffee shops, some of which were damaged. Outside a nearby apartment building, 40-year-old tourism company operator Adrian Pacheco recounted how he spent eight hours in a stairwell huddled with 100 other residents when the hurricane ripped the storm shutters off his building and decimated three balconies.
"I think people didn't expect the storm to reach the point that it did," he said. "Since Irma never really happened, they thought Maria would be the same."
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-21/a-stunned-puerto-rico-seeks-to-rebuild-after-hurricane-maria |
