United States: Post-Maria recovery continues in Puerto Rico /update 10

Event

Recovery efforts are moving slowly ahead in Puerto Rico nearly three weeks following the passage of Hurricane Maria, which devastated the island.

Power outages remain widespread; only 16 percent of areas had electricity as of October 10, with the majority of the country running on generators amid fuel shortages. According to predictions announced by island’s governor, only one-quarter of the island will have power restored within the next month. The mass outage, along with other issues, has brought Puerto Rico’s economy to a near standstill. Some 37 percent of the population remains without access to running water. Telecommunication issues are still widespread, with 67 percent of cell towers and 80 percent of cell antennas nonfunctional.

All the island’s airports are operational and 78 percent of gas stations have been reopened. However, the vast majority of the country’s roads - more than 90 percent - remain closed due to damage and debris. Some 86 percent of the island’s supermarkets are open.

A nightly curfew remains in effect throughout the territory from midnight to 05:00 (local time) until further notice. Individuals not respecting the curfew are subject to arrest.

The official death toll from the hurricane currently stands at 43 but will likely continue to rise, both as the full extent of damage is revealed as well as due to current conditions. Significant health risks persist as numerous health facilities have been damaged and the level of available care is limited amid shortages of medicines and other supplies. Additionally, as many areas are without running water, or available running water has been contaminated by flood waters, there is an increased risk of water-borne diseases. Furthermore, stagnant water serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, potential carriers of dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus. More immediate concerns involve the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning stemming from improper use of generators.

Context

Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico on September 20 as a Category 4 storm (scale of 1 to 5), causing severe flooding and wind damage as it passed over the island. Maria was the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in nearly 90 years and came as the island was still recovering from the recent passage of Hurricane Irma. 

Advice

Individuals present in Puerto Rico are advised to adhere to all official directives and to be prepared for weeks and months of recovery. Potential travelers to the island are advised to postpone their trips until the situation stabilizes.