WASHINGTON: The crew of a US Customs and Border helicopter provided medical aid to three people who signaled for assistance by painting the word “help” on the roof of their home in Puerto Rico on September 24th.
The scope of Hurricane Maria’s devastation in Puerto Rico is so broad, and the relief effort so concentrated in San Juan, that many people from outside the capital say they’ve received little to no help. The recovery in the first week since the storm has largely been a do-it-yourself affair. People collect water from wells and streams, clear roads and repair their own homes when they’re not waiting in day-long lines for gasoline and diesel. For most, the only visible sign of authority are police officers directing traffic, a critical service because traffic lights are out across the island. The storm tore up the island on Sept. 20, killing at least 16 people and leaving nearly all 3.4 million people in Puerto Rico without power and most without water.
