Puerto Rico, home to 3.5 million people, almost half of whom live at or below poverty, suffered a crushing blow from Hurricane Maria.
These are some of the images coming out of Puerto Rico. This is the town of Utuado. The island is devastated. pic.twitter.com/2eXaU8i28L
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) September 21, 2017
Hurricane Maria left the entire island of Puerto Rico without power https://t.co/SSlDXitRKz pic.twitter.com/7OI5kXUrFC
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) September 21, 2017
The storm, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, was the strongest to hit Puerto Rico in nearly 100 years.
Video shows strong winds and rain from Hurricane Maria causing destruction in Puerto Rico.
(Credit: Gloriana & Walter Pierluisi) pic.twitter.com/RTDDV4Pfpf
— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 21, 2017
Maria knocked out all power on the island and sent a “wall of water” crashing through coastal areas and rivers which snake through the hilly interior.
Hurricane #Maria caused widespread flooding on the streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico https://t.co/T5MuBhaskO pic.twitter.com/F9y9IU9LSS
— CNN International (@cnni) September 21, 2017
Damage reports are still incoming, but as more images become available, a picture of far-reaching devastation is rapidly coming into focus.
After Hurricane Maria, "Puerto Rico isn’t going to be the same" https://t.co/SSlDXitRKz pic.twitter.com/BmGL0VToRL
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) September 21, 2017
Fallen power lines, flooding, debris … obstacles litter roads in #PuertoRico Rico after Hurricane #Maria ripped through the island. pic.twitter.com/mfHJi5S14L
— CNN Weather Center (@CNNweather) September 21, 2017
Direct Relief is coordinating its response with the Puerto Rico Department of Health, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, and working with contacts at the country’s emergency operations center to gather and fulfill lists of medical resource needs.
More updates to follow as the situation unfolds.
