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192-463: Effects U.S territory  • Puerto Rico  • Death toll controversy Hurricane Maria was an extremely powerful and devastating tropical cyclone that affected the northeastern Caribbean in September 2017, particularly in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico , which accounted for 2,975 of the 3,059 deaths. It is the deadliest and costliest hurricane to strike

384-428: A minimum central pressure of 908 millibars (26.8 inHg), Maria was both the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Jeanne in 2004 , and the eleventh most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, respectively. Total monetary losses are estimated at upwards of $ 91.61 billion (2017 USD), almost all of which came from Puerto Rico, ranking it as the fourth-costliest tropical cyclone on record . Maria developed from

576-565: A tropical wave on September 16 east of the Lesser Antilles . Steady strengthening and organization took place initially, until favorable conditions enabled it to undergo explosive intensification on the afternoon of September 18, achieving Category 5 strength just before making landfall on the island of Dominica that night. After crossing the island and weakening slightly, Maria re-intensified and achieved its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and

768-535: A 24-hour total of 7.5 inches (190 mm), while the capital of Basse-Terre measured 6.4 in (160 mm). Even greater quantities fell at higher elevations of Basse Terre Island, with a maximum total of 18.07 in (459 mm) measured at the mountainous locality of Matouba , Saint-Claude . Throughout the archipelago, the hurricane left 40% of the population (80,000 households) without power and 25% of landline users without service. The islands of Marie-Galante , La Désirade and especially Les Saintes bore

960-612: A 45-year-old man died in the commune of Limbe, in the department of the North , while attempting to cross a flooded river. Two other people, a woman and a man, died in Cornillon , a small town 40 km (25 mi) east of the capital Port-au-Prince , according to the authorities. Maria brushed the Outer Banks of North Carolina on September 26, as the center of the storm passed by offshore and brought tropical storm conditions to

1152-731: A Board of Charities, which was staffed by military doctors and clergy. Davis requested that similar committees be developed and headed by three "people of respectability" in each town. At the time, the island was divided into 12 military districts. Davis ordered that commanding officers assess damage in each district and report the number of citizens without food and shelter. Hundreds submitted petitions for tax relief, including 369 in Lares alone. The destruction of infrastructure made it difficult to deliver aid, especially because of an 11 mi (18 km) section of railroad destroyed between Añasco and Mayagüez . Many roads and bridges were rebuilt in

1344-594: A Category 5 hurricane, Hurricane Maria's weaker outer eyewall was reported by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to have crossed Saint Croix , while the hurricane was at Category 5 intensity. Sustained winds at the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge on St. Croix reached 99 to 104 mph (159 to 167 km/h) and gusted to 137 mph (220 km/h). Damage was most extensive in the town of Frederiksted , on

1536-511: A Category 3 hurricane, with winds decreasing to 120 mph (195 km/h). The hurricane would maintain this intensity for more than nine days. Continuing west-northward, the hurricane brushed the north coast of Dominican Republic on August 9. Thereafter, the system moved slowly northwestward through the Bahamas, striking Inagua on August 10 and Andros Island on August 12. According to telephone and telegraph reports from

1728-574: A Category 5 hurricane and attained its peak intensity with winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and a pressure of 908 mbar (hPa; 26.81 inHg) at 03:00 UTC on September 20 while southeast of Puerto Rico ; this ranks it as the eleventh-most intense Atlantic hurricane since reliable records began. An eyewall replacement cycle caused Maria weaken to Category 4 strength before it made landfall near Yabucoa , Puerto Rico at 10:15 UTC (6:15 am local time) that day with winds of 155 mph (250 km/h)—the most intense to strike on

1920-485: A central pressure of 920 mbar (27 inHg). 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. 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

2112-404: A church. Three people suffered serious injuries after a home near Gambier was destroyed. The entire community of Gambier was reportedly wiped out. Local agriculture also experienced significant impact, with two orchards alone losing many trees and thousands of fruits. All sisal plantations on the island were demolished. Of the 50 small crafts capsized by strong winds and waves in the Bahamas,

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2304-536: A coconut tree onto a residence in Saint Joseph . Passing 30 mi (48 km) off the northern shorelines, Maria brought torrential rainfall and strong gusts to Martinique but spared the island of its hurricane-force windfield, which at the time extended 25 mi (40 km) around the eye. The commune of Le Marigot recorded 6.7 inches (170 mm) of rain over a 24-hour period. By September 19, Maria had knocked out power to 70,000 households, about 40% of

2496-529: A depth of 15 feet (4.6 m) in some areas. More than 2,000 people were rescued once military relief reached the town 24 hours after the storm. At least eight people died from the flooding, while many were unaccounted for. On September 24, Puerto Rico's Governor Ricardo Rosselló estimated that the damage from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico was probably over the $ 8 billion damage figure from Hurricane Georges . Approximately 80 percent of

2688-600: 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. The hurricane completely destroyed the island's power grid, leaving all 3.4 million residents without electricity. Puerto Rican governor Ricardo Rosselló stated that it could take months to restore power in some locations, with San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz estimating that some areas would remain without power for four to six months. Communication networks were crippled across

2880-482: 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. 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. On September 21,

3072-470: A family of four, issued a distress signal while battling 20-foot seas (6.1 m) and 115 mph winds (185 km/h) on September 20. 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 using an HC-130 aircraft, a fast response cutter, USS  Kearsarge , RFA  Mounts Bay and Navy helicopters. On September 21,

3264-497: A fatal heart attack during the hurricane. The hurricane caused severe damage to St. Croix. It took almost a year for power to be restored to most residents. U.S. President Donald Trump declared a major disaster in the U.S. Virgin Islands one day after Maria hit. The move freed up federal funding for people on the island of St. Croix. After both hurricanes, the office of V.I. congresswoman Stacey Plaskett stated that 90% of buildings in

3456-529: A few months. 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. 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. The recreational boat Ferrel, carrying

3648-531: A gust to 113 mph (182 km/h) was reported in San Juan, immediately prior to the hurricane making landfall on the island. After landfall, wind gusts of 109 mph (175 km/h) were reported at Yabucoa Harbor and 118 mph (190 km/h) at Camp Santiago. A minimum barometric pressure reading of 926.6 mbar (27.36 inHg) was reported in Yabucoa. In addition, heavy rainfall occurred throughout

3840-679: A hurricane signal was raised at Santo Domingo , Dominican Republic. Advisory messages were sent to other locations throughout the Caribbean, including Santo Domingo, Kingston, Jamaica , and Santiago de Cuba , Cuba. Information was also telegraphed to major seaports along the Gulf and East coasts of the United States. On August 9, hurricane signals were posted at Santiago de Cuba, while all vessels bound northward and eastward from Cuba were advised to remain in port. While passing through

4032-464: A major humanitarian crisis; most of the island's population suffered from flooding and a lack of resources, compounded by a slow relief process. The storm caused the worst electrical blackout in US history, which persisted for several months. Maria also landed in the northeast Caribbean during relief efforts from another Category 5 hurricane, Irma , which crossed the region two weeks prior. The total death toll

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4224-490: A majority of these were located at Andros Island . Several settlements along the northern portions of the island were devastated, with numerous homes flattened and all crops were destroyed, including coconuts, corn, grapefruit, oranges, peas, and potatoes. At Red Bays, two churches were destroyed and many houses were washed away. Several sponging vessels were beached, resulting in an "astronomical" number of casualties. Only seven homes remained standing at Nicholls Town . A church

4416-570: A maximum sustained wind speed of 80 mph (130 km/h). Late on September 3, the storm passed through the Azores, shortly before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone. After becoming extratropical, the remnants moved rapidly northeastward and continued to weaken, before dissipating southwest of Ireland late on September 4. However, the Weather Bureau noted that gales prevailed offshore France until September 12, when

4608-425: 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. As of October 1, there were ongoing fuel shortage and distribution problems, with 720 of 1,100 gas stations open. The Guajataca Dam was structurally damaged, and on September 22,

4800-599: A navegar Para distantes regiones Afligidos corazones Dejamos a nuestra espalda Y de aquella tierra sana De allí salimos, señores. From that Borinquen land Lands with such beautiful flowers From there we left, sirs, For this Hawaiian land. . . . Nobody thought he would forget That friendly part of the world And because of the cyclone We had to set sail And we began to navigate For distant regions Afflicted hearts We left behind us And from that healthy land From there we left, sirs." The hurricane earned its name by striking Puerto Rico on August 8,

4992-431: A number of telegraph poles. Some wealthy citizens and local governments in Puerto Rico provided food and shelter in the immediate aftermath of the storm, but their resources were too limited to effectively handle the disaster. Following Military Governor George Whitefield Davis 's initial assessment of damage, he requested that the federal government appeal to citizens for aid. In San Juan, Major John Van Hoff established

5184-449: A predominantly land-based effort designed to provide robust, longer term support" with fuel delivery a top priority. 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. On September 29,

5376-425: A pressure of 908 mbar (hPa; 26.81 inHg). On September 20, an eyewall replacement cycle weakened Maria to a high-end Category 4 hurricane by the time it struck Puerto Rico. The hurricane re-emerged weaker from land interaction, but quickly restrengthened back into a major hurricane again the following day. Passing north of The Bahamas , Maria remained a powerful hurricane over the following week as it slowly paralleled

5568-492: A recount and new analysis of the official death toll. 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. There's a humanitarian emergency here in Puerto Rico.... This is an event without precedent. The power grid

5760-402: A shortage of IV bags on the mainland, exacerbating an H3N2 outbreak that killed at least 30 children. On September 24, Governor Rosselló estimated that the damage from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico exceeded the $ 8 billion damage by Hurricane Georges. He later estimated that Maria caused at least US$  90 billion in damage. Approximately 80 percent of the territory's agriculture

5952-587: A spike in demand. By the end of January 2018, approximately 450,000 people remained without power island-wide. On February 11, an explosion and fire damaged a power substation in Monacillo , 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. In 2018, electric and water service

Hurricane Maria - Misplaced Pages Continue

6144-580: A swift and robust manner." 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". 1899 San Ciriaco hurricane The storm weakened after moving inland and fell to Category 1 intensity by 1200 UTC on August 18. Later that day, the storm re-emerged into the Atlantic. Now heading northeastward, it continued weakening, but maintained Category 1 intensity. By late on August 20,

6336-709: A total area of more than 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares); farmers described the destruction to their plantations as "complete annihilation". Beyond their impact on farmland, the strong winds ravaged much of the island's vegetation: fallen trees and branches covered practically every major road and were responsible for one death. Another person was killed upon being swept out to sea. Two people disappeared at sea after their vessel capsized offshore La Désirade , east of mainland Grande-Terre , and they are presumed to be dead afterwards. Damage from Maria across Guadeloupe amounted to at least €100 million (US$ 120 million). Two weeks after Hurricane Irma hit St. Thomas and St. John as

6528-615: A tropical storm watch for its citizens and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines . The government of Antigua and Barbuda issued Hurricane watches for the islands of Antigua , Barbuda , St. Kitts , Nevis , and Montserrat by the time of the NHC's second advisory which declared Maria a tropical storm. The Dominican Republic activated the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters for humanitarian satellite coverage on

6720-643: A trough that was beginning to emerge off the Northeastern United States swung Maria eastward out to sea, while also weakening to a tropical storm. Periodic bursts of convection near the center managed to maintain Maria's intensity as it accelerated east-northeast across the northern Atlantic Ocean, but interaction with an encroaching frontal zone ultimately resulted in the storm becoming an extratropical cyclone on September 30, which continued east-northeastward, before dissipating on October 2. Upon

6912-415: A week. On August 28, it curved northeastward and then eastward, while continuing to drift. By September 1, the storm began to accelerate and moved east-southeastward. It resumed intensification the next day after curving southeast, and was upgraded to a hurricane early on September 3, based on barometric pressure data. A few hours later, the hurricane attained a secondary peak intensity with

7104-734: Is 3,059: an estimated 2,975 in Puerto Rico, 65 in Dominica, 5 in the Dominican Republic , 4 in Guadeloupe , 4 in the contiguous United States , 3 in the United States Virgin Islands , and 3 in Haiti . Maria was the deadliest hurricane in Dominica since the 1834 Padre Ruíz hurricane and the deadliest in Puerto Rico since the 1899 San Ciriaco hurricane . This makes it the deadliest named Atlantic hurricane of

7296-491: Is an event without precedent. The power grid was effectively destroyed by the hurricane, leaving millions without electricity. Governor Ricardo Rosselló estimated that Maria caused at least US$ 90 billion in damage and in 2018 the US National Hurricane Center updated its list of costliest hurricanes to include that figure. On September 26, 2017, 95% of the island was without power, less than half

7488-446: Is devastated." 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. The same day, the group released this statement: "While the US government is engaged in relief efforts, it has failed to address

7680-453: Is fine, but it's not. Everywhere needs rebuilding but there is no money to rebuild things with. OK, so we have some food and water—but how long for? Everything else is gone. In the wake of the hurricane, more than 85% of the island's houses were damaged, of which more than 25% were completely destroyed, leaving more than 50,000 of the island's 73,000 residents to be displaced. Following the destruction of thousands of homes, most supermarkets and

7872-559: The Azores on August 26. It moved slowly north-northwestward, until curving to the east on August 29. Between August 26 and September 1, the storm did not differentiate in intensity, but began re-strengthening while turning southeastward on September 2. Early on the following day, the storm again reached hurricane intensity. It curved northeastward and passed through the Azores on September 3, shortly before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone. In Guadeloupe ,

Hurricane Maria - Misplaced Pages Continue

8064-538: The Bahamas was at least 125. In North Carolina , storm surge and rough sea destroyed fishing piers and bridges, as well as sank about 10 vessels. Hatteras Island was almost entirely inundated with 4 to 10 feet (1.2 to 3.0 m) of water, and many homes were damaged. There was also much destruction at Diamond City , on the Shackleford Banks near Cape Lookout . There were at least 20 deaths in

8256-554: The Comfort docked in San Juan on October 27, briefly departing only once to restock at sea from a naval resupply ship. As of November 8, the Comfort's staff had treated 1,476 patients, including 147 surgeries and two births. 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 ,

8448-410: The Dominican Republic as Maria tracked northeast of the country. Assessments on September 22 indicated that 110 homes were destroyed, 570 were damaged, and 3,723 were affected by flooding. Approximately 60,000 people lost power in northern areas of the country. Flooding and landslides rendered many roads impassable, cutting off 38 communities. Five people, all of them males, were killed in

8640-650: The East Coast of the United States , gradually weakening over time as conditions became less favorable. Maria then stalled and swung eastward over the open Atlantic, becoming extratropical on September 30 before dissipating by October 2. Maria brought catastrophic devastation to the entirety of Dominica, destroying housing stock and infrastructure beyond repair, and practically eradicating the island's lush vegetation. The neighboring islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique endured widespread flooding, damaged roofs, and uprooted trees. Puerto Rico suffered catastrophic damage and

8832-682: 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. 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. As of September 19, at least 2,000 people in Puerto Rico had sought shelter. Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico on Wednesday, September 20. Sustained winds of 64 mph (103 km/h), with gusts up to 113 mph (182 km/h), were reported in

9024-624: The Out Islands . The British Government enacted the Hurricane Warning Act, which ordered that hurricane signal flags be hoisted at Fort Charlotte and Fort Fincastle in the event of a hurricane. The new regulation also required these flags to be raised when the barometric pressure fell to a certain point. Additionally, the Imperial Lighthouse Service issued a set of signal flags to all lighthouses in

9216-686: The United Nations General Assembly on September 23, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit called the situation in Dominica an "international humanitarian emergency". The Royal Canadian Navy vessel HMCS  St. John's was dispatched to Dominica at the request of Dominican Prime Minister Skerrit. The prime minister urged churches to encourage their membership to provide housing for senior citizens and disabled, many of whom remained in damaged structures despite tarpaulin donations from Venezuela, Israel, Cuba, Jamaica, and other countries. As schools began to reopen on October 16,

9408-550: The Weather Bureau , the storm was predicted to make landfall in Florida . However, the storm instead curved north-northwestward and struck Grand Bahama on August 13. The next day, officials at the Weather Bureau predicted that the hurricane would strike Charleston, South Carolina , at which time it would have weakened "into an ordinary blow". The storm instead eventually turned northeastward and moved parallel to

9600-401: The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp which had been providing relief activities to the island of Dominica was diverted to Puerto Rico. 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. On September 28, 2017, Lieutenant General Jeffrey S. Buchanan

9792-589: 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. 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 ;

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9984-497: 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 . 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. Full operations at

10176-419: 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. Patients were brought to the ship by helicopter or boat tender after being referred by Puerto Rico's Department of Health. However, most of

10368-414: The official residence of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit , who required rescue when his home began to flood. Downing all cellular, radio and internet services, Maria effectively cut Dominica off from the outside world; the situation there remained unclear for a couple of days after the hurricane's passage. Skerrit called the devastation "mind boggling" before going offline, and indicated immediate priority

10560-697: The 20th. Prior to both Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), already struggling with increasing debt, had seen budget cuts imposed by PROMESA as well as the loss of 30 percent of its work force since 2012. With the median age of PREPA power plants at 44 years, an aging infrastructure across the island made the electric grid more susceptible to damage from storms. Inadequate safety mechanisms also plagued Puerto Rico's electric company, and local newspapers frequently reported on its poor maintenance and outdated control systems. According to

10752-524: The 21st century to date. Maria originated from a tropical wave that left the western coast of Africa on September 12. Gradual organization occurred as it progressed westward across the tropical Atlantic under the influence of a mid-level ridge that was located to the system's north, and by 12:00 UTC on September 16, it had developed into Tropical Depression Fifteen, as deep convection consolidated and developed into curved bands wrapping into an increasingly-defined center of circulation. At that time, it

10944-429: The 250 bed floating state-of-the-art hospital went unused despite overburdened island clinics and hospitals because there were few referrals. 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." After remaining offshore for three weeks,

11136-563: 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%). 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. By mid-December Governor Rossello ordered

11328-564: 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. The Jones Act was waived for a period of ten days starting on September 28 following a formal request by Puerto Rico Governor Rosselló. 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. The White House contested claims that

11520-756: The Atlantic Ocean. Thereafter, the storm drifted slowly east-northeastward before accelerating to the northeast after 12:00 UTC on August 19. It moved parallel to Long Island and New England , until curving just north of due east late on the following day. The system began losing tropical characteristics after interacting with a weather front and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone early on August 22, while situated about 325 miles (525 km) south of Sable Island , Nova Scotia . The extratropical system moved east-southeastward and then southeastward, while continuing to weaken. By August 24, it curved eastward and then northeastward

11712-559: The Bahamas and at least 334 deaths. Losses to boating vessels reached $ 50,000. On Inagua , three vessels were lost and a schooner was left stranded at Lantern Head, while other boats that were hauled up on the bay suffered severe damage. Air pressure on the island dipped to 28.28 inHg (958 mb). The public school house was demolished on Ragged Island , though dwellings escaped serious impact. Plantain and banana plantations were completely flattened at Deadman's Cay on Long Island . Three vessels were beached on Rum Cay , but only one

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11904-549: The Bahamas. There was so much Destruction in Diamond City, North Carolina that the approximately 500 residents of the settlement and island decided to move inland. The last of the residents had left by 1902, and even relocated houses to nearby places such as Harkers Island , Salter Path and Morehead City . Hurricane San Ciriaco set many records on its path. Resulting in at least 3,369 deaths in Puerto Rico ,

12096-553: The Dominican Republic: four of them were of Haitian origin , killed when they were swept away by floodwaters; the fifth person was a Dominican man who died in a landslide. Infrastructural damage amounted to RD$ 3 billion (US$ 63 million). Hurricane Maria's center passed 250 km (160 mi) from Haiti's northern coast, but triggered a large amount of rain and some flooding in Haiti. Three deaths were reported:

12288-618: The Hines Underwear Company gave away knit underwear, and the National Biscuit Company (now known as Nabisco ) sent 30 barrels of bread. In the Bahamas, the House of Assembly held a special session to vote for a measure that authorized expenditure for relief throughout the country. Additionally, Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain called on several vessels to distribute and render assistance to

12480-608: The Leeward Islands, strong winds were reported on several islands. In Guadeloupe, the storm unroofed and flooded many houses and buildings, including the American Consulate in Pointe-à-Pitre . Communications were significantly disrupted in the interior portions of the island. Two schooners sunk and at least 23 flat boats were pushed ashore in the Îles des Saintes archipelago of Guadeloupe. Impact

12672-605: The Merchant's Association including 12,600 vests for women, 4,800 women's wrappers , 4,200 undershirts for men, 600 pairs of trousers, and 215 children's garments. H. C. F. Koch & Co. also sent 265 articles of women and children's clothing. Additionally, the Windsor Company donated one case of calico , the Renfrew Machinery Company contributed one case of gingham ,

12864-507: The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for parts of the area in response. Tens of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate the area, with about 70,000 thought to be at risk. The entirety of Puerto Rico was declared a Federal Disaster Zone shortly after the hurricane. The Federal Emergency Management Agency planned to open an air bridge with three to four aircraft carrying essential supplies to

13056-463: The San Ciriaco hurricane was one of the main reasons why Puerto Ricans went to Hawaii. "Nicolas G. Vegas wrote in his Narración Patriótica (Patriotic Narration): De aquel país borincano Tierras de tan lindas flores De allí salimos, señores. A este suelo hawaiiano. . . . Nadie pensaba olvidar Aquel amable rincón Y por causa del ciclón Nos tuvimos que embarcar Y empezamos

13248-529: The United Nations Children's Fund reported that the entire child population of Dominica—23,000 children—remained vulnerable due to restricted access to clean drinking water. Efforts to rebuild homes and buildings across the island were steady, albeit slowed due to lack of funds. Almost two years after Maria, shelters remained operational as many homes still lacked significant roofing. There's a humanitarian emergency here in Puerto Rico. ... This

13440-628: The Virgin Islands were damaged or destroyed and 13,000 of those buildings had lost their roofs. The Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital & Medical Center on St. Croix suffered roof damage and flooding, but remained operational. The storm made landfall on Puerto Rico on Wednesday, September 20, near the Yabucoa municipality at 10:15 UTC (6:15 a.m. local time) as a high-end Category 4 hurricane with winds of 155 mph (249 km/h). A sustained wind of 64 mph (103 km/h) with

13632-825: The administration was not responding effectively. 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. 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

13824-412: The air during the storm. Hurricane Maria caused landslides across the island and in some municipalities there were more than 25 landslides per square mile. The NEXRAD Doppler weather radar of Puerto Rico was blown away. The radome which covers the radar antenna, and which was designed to withstand winds of more than 130 mph, was destroyed while the antenna of 30 feet in diameter was blown from

14016-558: The anemometer then blew away. According to the Weather Bureau, "the entire island" of Hatteras was submerged in 4 to 10 ft (1.2 to 3.0 m) of water due to storm surge. A personal account by Weather Bureau observer S. L. Dosher noted that it was typical for 40 to 50 individuals in Hatteras to seek shelter in a home because of coastal flooding, only to be forced to venture to another dwelling due to rising water. In only four houses, less than 1 ft (0.30 m) of water

14208-712: The area, along with a storm surge, large waves, and rip currents to the coast. The storm knocked out power to 800 Duke Energy Progress customers in the Havelock area, with restoration of power expected to take several hours. Dominion North Carolina Power and Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative experienced scattered power outages. Winds of 23 mph (37 km/h) and gusts of 41 mph (66 km/h) were reported at Dare County Regional Airport at Manteo on September 27, while winds of 40 mph (64 km/h) were reported in Duck, North Carolina . Maria caused beach erosion at

14400-649: The banana industry, suffered losses from the winds. Heavy rainfall amounting to 3–5 in (76–127 mm) caused scattered flooding across Barbados ; in Christ Church , the flood waters trapped residents from the neighborhood of Goodland in their homes and inundated the business streets of Saint Lawrence Gap . Maria stirred up rough seas that flooded coastal sidewalks in Bridgetown and damaged boats as operators had difficulties securing their vessels. High winds triggered an island-wide power outage and downed

14592-419: The bay of the commune of Schœlcher . Martinique's agricultural sector suffered considerable losses: about 70% of banana crops sustained wind damage, with nearly every tree downed along the northern coast. There were no deaths on the island, although four people were injured in the hurricane—two seriously and two lightly. Agricultural loss were estimated at €35 million (US$ 42 million). Rainfall ahead of

14784-472: The brunt of the winds, which caused heavy damage to structures and nature alike and cut the islands off from their surroundings for several days. Homes on Terre-de-Haut Island of Les Saintes were flooded or lost their roofs. On the mainland, sections of Pointe-à-Pitre stood under more than 3.3 feet (1.0 m) of water, and the city's hospital sustained significant damage. The Basse-Terre region suffered severe damage to nearly 100% of its banana crops, comprising

14976-447: The buildings that remained standing, many lost their roof. At Barritarri and Rolleville, churches were deroofed and several small buildings suffered complete destruction. Throughout the island, 97 dwellings were destroyed and 131 others were damaged, which did not include the number of kitchens, barns, and homes demolished at Alexandria and Stuart's Manor. Overall, the storm left at least 64 fatalities on Exuma alone. Within

15168-777: The capital city of Nassau , fences and boundary walls separating businesses and properties were felled. A fruit factory, a sponge warehouse, a dancing pavilion, and about 100 smaller buildings were destroyed. A few public buildings were damaged, including the prison and the Government House . Damage to homes in Nassau was light in comparison to the dwellings in the suburbs, where lower-class homes suffered extensive impact or were completely destroyed. A total of 44 multi-family residences were demolished. Many adobes in Adelaide were flattened, forcing 12 families to live in

15360-544: 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. A minimum barometric pressure reading of 926.6 mbar (27.36 inHg) was reported in Yabucoa. In addition, very heavy rainfall occurred throughout the territory, peaking at 37.9 in (960 mm) in Caguas . Widespread flooding, waist-deep in some areas, affected San Juan, and

15552-453: The center had temporarily become exposed, a convective burst over the center enabled it to become a hurricane. Shortly afterward, explosive intensification occurred, with Maria nearly doubling its winds from 85 mph (140 km/h)—a Category 1 hurricane, to 165 mph (270 km/h)—a Category 5 hurricane, in just 24 hours, by which time it was located just 15 mi (24 km) east-southeast of Dominica late on September 18;

15744-519: The coast of the Southeastern United States for a few days. By early on August 17, however, the hurricane re-curved northwestward. At 01:00 UTC on August 18, it made landfall near Hatteras, North Carolina , with winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). Five hours later, the storm weakened to a Category 2 hurricane. Around midday on August 18, it fell to Category 1 hurricane intensity while re-emerging into

15936-537: 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. 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

16128-457: 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. Storm surge and flash flooding—stemming from flood gate 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, with flood waters reaching

16320-416: The day before the hurricane made landfall. Puerto Rican travelers often chose to go to Orlando , Miami, New York City, and Atlanta . Internally, there was an influx of people into San Juan . As Maria approached the coast of North Carolina and threatened to bring tropical storm conditions, a storm surge warning was issued for the coast between Ocracoke Inlet and Cape Hatteras , while a storm surge watch

16512-412: 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. 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;

16704-430: The direct and indirect deaths of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma which made landfall around the same time. Anxiety was high among survivors as well, with many fearing health issues and injuries. 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

16896-539: The disease while 74 others were suspected of being infected. There were 18 confirmed cases, 4 confirmed deaths and 99 suspected cases by November 7. 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. Puerto Rico is a major manufacturer of medical devices and pharmaceuticals, with this sector representing 30% of its economy. Its factories either shut down or were greatly in reduced production because of

17088-413: The elderly. Cases of depression also increased and, in some cases, lead to weight loss. Some still feel the emotional effects while looking at pictures or recounting stories. For the young people on the island, witnessing the aftermath has left them with high levels of posttraumatic stress disorder. The number of indirect deaths from the stormed greatly surpassed that of direct deaths from Maria, but also

17280-418: 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

17472-515: The entirety of the coastline were rendered uninhabitable, as widespread floods and landslides littered neighborhoods with the structural remnants. The hurricane also inflicted extensive damage to roads and public buildings, such as schools, stores and churches, and affected all of Dominica's 73,000 residents in some form or way. The air control towers and terminal buildings of the Canefield and Douglas Charles airports were severely damaged, although

17664-634: The ferry terminal at the north end of Ocracoke Island that washed out a portion of the paved lanes where vehicles wait to board the ferry. By the morning of September 26, the storm flooded North Carolina Highway 12 along the coast. Rip currents from Maria caused three swimmers to drown and several others to be rescued at the Jersey Shore on the weekend of September 23–24. A fourth drowning death occurred in Fernandina Beach, Florida . People are trying to be strong in Dominica, like everything

17856-545: The following day, at which time the storm reached hurricane status. Around 18:00 UTC on August 6, it became a Category 2 hurricane. Early the next day, the system deepened to a Category 3. While approaching the Lesser Antilles , it continued to strengthen, reaching Category 4 status around midday on August 7. Shortly thereafter, the hurricane passed through the Lesser Antilles and made landfall on Guadeloupe. At 18:00 UTC on August 7,

18048-688: The following months. However, because the railroads were privately owned, the government hesitated to begin repairs. Various municipal governments proposed 25 million to 30 million pesos in bonds to fund restoration efforts. On August 24, the USAT McClellan departed the United States Quartermaster's dock in Brooklyn after being filled with supplies by the Puerto Rican Relief Committee of

18240-515: 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 . 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 (ships arriving direct from non-US ports were not subject to

18432-410: The hurricane caused several landslides in Dominica, as water levels across the island began to rise by the afternoon of September 18. Maria made landfall at 21:15 AST that day (1:15 UTC , September 19) as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (266 km/h). These winds, the most extreme to ever impact the island, damaged the roof of practically every home—including

18624-433: 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. 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. Two weeks after

18816-406: The hurricane, and have been slowly recovering since. This caused a months-long shortage of some medical supplies in the United States, especially IV bags. 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. In January 2018, when the shortage was projected to ease, flu season came and lead to

19008-505: The hurricane, international relief organization Oxfam chose to intervene for the first time on American soil since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. 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. The island's highways and bridges remained heavily damaged nearly

19200-461: The hurricane. A large wave swept the captain and seven crewmen overboard. The remaining men built a makeshift raft out of the ship's plank in order to survive. However, the raft split into two, with two men on one portion and six on the other. On the former raft, a person committed suicide by jumping into the raging sea, but the other man was eventually rescued by the German steamship Titania . Three of

19392-580: The impact, no deaths occurred, which was attributed to ample warnings. On Nevis , the hurricane left "general destruction" and at least 21 fatalities. Nearly all estates were demolished on Saint Croix, while almost every large building was deroofed. Eleven deaths were reported on the island. Taking place a mere 12 months after the American invasion of the Island , U.S. Army Major Albert L. Myer described it as "more disruptive to Puerto Rican society than

19584-453: 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. The territory's government contracted 56 small companies to assist in restoring power. Eight FEMA Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) teams were deployed to assist in rescue efforts. On September 24, the amphibious assault ship USS  Kearsarge and

19776-441: The initiation of the National Hurricane Center (NHC)'s first advisories for the system that would become Tropical Storm Maria on the morning of September 16, the government of France issued tropical storm watches for the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe , while St. Lucia issued a tropical storm watch for its citizens, and the government of Barbados issued a similar watch for Dominica . Barbados would later that day declare

19968-624: The island after the hurricane hit, knocking out power to hospitals which stretched the healthcare system. Patients noted that their services were cut down, while healthcare providers called out the Puerto Rican government for "abandoning" them during a distressing time. 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. Survivors have stated they will never forget it. Suicide rates spiked after Hurricane Maria, especially among

20160-495: The island daily starting on September 22. 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. By October 3, there were 39 commercial flights per day from all Puerto Rican airports, about a quarter of the normal number. The next day, airports were reported to be operating at normal capacity. In marked contrast to

20352-653: 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. 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. Forecasts of Hurricane Marias track from

20544-435: The island of Puerto Rico, and is the deadliest hurricane to strike the country of Dominica and the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands . The most intense tropical cyclone worldwide in 2017 , Maria was the thirteenth named storm , eighth consecutive hurricane , fourth major hurricane , second Category 5 hurricane , and deadliest storm of the extremely active 2017 Atlantic hurricane season . With over 3,000 deaths and

20736-407: The island since the 1928 San Felipe Segundo hurricane . Maria weakened significantly while traversing Puerto Rico, but was able to restrengthen to a major hurricane once it emerged over the Atlantic later that afternoon, eventually attaining a secondary peak intensity with winds of 125 mph (201 km/h) on September 22, while north of Hispaniola . Maria then began fluctuating in intensity for

20928-487: The island to go to the mainland. 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

21120-472: The island's lush rainforests. The agricultural sector, a vital source of income for the country, was completely wiped out: 100% of banana and tuber plantations was lost, as well as vast amounts of livestock and farm equipment. In Maria's wake, Dominica's population suffered from an island-wide water shortage due to uprooted pipes. The Assessment Capacities Project estimates that the hurricane has caused EC$ 3.69 billion (US$ 1.37 billion) in losses across

21312-438: The island's power grid, and caused an estimated 2,982 fatalities and US$ 90 billion in damage. Maria first developed into a tropical depression on September 16 while it was located about 665 miles (1,070 km) east of Barbados . Conditions favorable for hurricane activity allowed the storm to strengthen throughout the day, and a convective burst over the center propelled Maria to hurricane strength late on September 17. Over

21504-510: The island, which is equal to 226 percent of its 2016 GDP. As of April 12, 2019, a total of 65 fatalities have been confirmed across the island, including 34 who are missing and presumed to be dead. Post-hurricane relief aid that was brought to Dominica from regional partners and aiding countries additionally brought several non-native species that became established and which local stakeholders are still trying to remove in 2022. Blustery conditions spread over Guadeloupe as Maria tracked to

21696-406: The island. In Puerto Rico, the system brought strong winds and heavy rainfall, which caused extensive flooding. Approximately 250,000 people were left without food and shelter. Additionally, telephone, telegraph, and electrical services were completely lost. Overall, damage totaled approximately $ 20 million, with over half were losses inflicted on crops, particularly coffee. At the time, it

21888-409: The island. Ninety-five percent of cell networks were down with 48 of the island's 78 counties' networks rendered completely inoperable. Eighty-five percent of above-ground phone and internet cables were knocked out. Only one radio station, WAPA 680 AM , remained on-air through the storm. The NEXRAD Doppler weather radar of Puerto Rico had also been literally blown away. The radome which covers

22080-536: The island. Ninety-five percent of cell networks were down, with 48 of the island's 78 counties networks being completely inoperable. Eighty-five percent of above-ground phone and internet cables were knocked out. Only twelve radio stations, namely WAPA 680 AM , WPAB 550 AM & WISO 1260 AM of Ponce , WKJB 710 AM, WPRA 990 AM & WTIL 1300 AM of Mayaguez, WMIA 1070 AM of Arecibo , WVOZ 1580 AM of Morovis , WXRF 1590 AM of Guayama , WALO 1240 AM of Humacao and WOIZ 1130 AM of Guayanilla , remained on

22272-407: The island. Widespread property destruction took place with many structures leveled. 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. The former survey ship Ferrel , carrying

22464-424: The island; the storm's outer eyewall lashed the island, but the inner eyewall remained offshore. Hours later, the outer eyewall hit Vieques , an island off of Puerto Rico's eastern coast. By this time, an eyewall replacement cycle had caused Maria to weaken to Category 4 strength. Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, just south of Yabucoa , around 10:15 UTC, with sustained winds of 155 mph (249 km/h) and

22656-682: The islands, is located on Puerto Rico. By September 15, 2017, 83% of the items there, including 90% of the water and all of the tarps and cots, had been deployed for post-Irma relief, mostly to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Maria arrived before supplies were replenished. 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. By September 19, 2017, at least 2,000 people in Puerto Rico had sought shelter. Using anonymous aggregate cell phone tracking data provided by Google from users that opted to share location data, researchers reported that travel from Puerto Rico increased 20%

22848-473: 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. 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

23040-460: The lack of communication networks hindered the effort as only 20% of drivers reported to work. 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. 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

23232-400: The loss of most homes and all crops; eyewitnesses reported that the aftermath resembled that of a fire. Between West Settlement Point and East Smith Point the storm leveled at least 62 homes, along with all roads and bridges. A church and chapel were wrecked at Eight Mile Rock , along with 22 homes. Six homes were destroyed at West End and 11 more at Brandy Point. Exuma

23424-399: The months that followed Maria. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit characterized the devastation wrought by Irma and Maria as a sign of climate change and the threat it poses to the survival of his country, stating, "To deny climate change ... is to deny a truth we have just lived." Many islanders suffered respiratory problems as a result of excessive dust borne out of the debris. Light rainfall in

23616-595: 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

23808-481: The mother and her two children were rescued while the father drowned inside the capsized vessel. Maria's Category 4 winds broke a 96-foot (29 m) line feed antenna of the Arecibo Observatory , causing it to fall 500 feet (150 m) and puncturing the dish below, greatly reducing its ability to function until repairs could be made. Hurricane Maria greatly affected Puerto Rico's agriculture. Coffee

24000-427: The mother and her two children were rescued, but the father drowned inside the capsized ship. 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. Maria caused many factories in Puerto Rico to close, including factories that make IV bags. This led to

24192-580: The next 24 hours, Maria explosively strengthened to Category 5 status just 15 miles (24 km) east-southeast of Dominica, before making landfall on that island early on September 19. 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). Maria made its closest approach to St. Croix around 05:00 UTC on September 20, passing within 20 miles (32 km) of

24384-442: The next day. Operationally, it was believed that the system remained extratropical. However, Partagas indicated that it regenerated into a tropical storm at 00:00 UTC on August 26, while located about 695 miles (1,120 km) southwest of Flores Island , Azores . Initially, the rejuvenated system drifted slowly north-northwestward, before turning northward on August 27. No change in intensity occurred for nearly

24576-427: The next few days as the eye periodically appeared and disappeared, while slowly nearing the East Coast of the United States , although southwesterly wind shear gradually weakened the hurricane. By September 25, it passed over cooler sea surface temperatures that had been left behind by Hurricane Jose a week prior, causing its inner core to collapse and the structure of the storm to change significantly. On September 28,

24768-522: The non-profit environmental advocacy group Natural Resources Defense Council , the island's water system was already in substandard conditions prior to hurricanes Irma and Maria. The NRDC reported that seventy percent of the island had water that did not meet the standards of the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act . Still recovering from Hurricane Irma two weeks prior, approximately 80,000 remained without power as Maria approached. FEMA's Caribbean Distribution Center warehouse, its only emergency stockpile in

24960-493: The numbers went up each year after. 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. 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

25152-624: The official estimate being 3,369. The San Ciriaco hurricane is the deadliest tropical cyclone in the history of Puerto Rico. Strong winds were reported throughout the island, reaching 85 mph (137 km/h) at many locations and over 100 mph (160 km/h) in Humacao , Mayagüez , and Ponce . Within the municipality of Ponce, 500 people died, mostly from drowning. Streets were flooded, waterfront businesses were destroyed, and several government buildings were damaged. Telephone, telegraph, and electrical services were completely lost. Ponce

25344-536: The parish's main settlement, experienced total roof failure or were otherwise structurally compromised. Many houses in La Plaine caved in or slid into rivers, and its single bridge was broken. Overall, the hurricane damaged the roofs of as much as 98% of the island's buildings, including those serving as shelters; half of the houses had their frames destroyed. Its ferocious winds defoliated nearly all vegetation, splintering or uprooting thousands of trees and decimating

25536-488: The pedestal, the latter remaining intact. The radar is 2,800 ft (850 m) above sea level, and the anemometer at the site measured winds of about 145 mph (233 km/h) before communications broke, which means winds at that height were likely 20 percent higher than what was seen at sea level. The radar was rebuilt and finally brought back online 9 months later. The nearby island of Vieques suffered similarly extensive damage. Communications were largely lost across

25728-694: The population had tap water, and 95% of the island had no cell phone service. 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. Two weeks after the hurricane, international relief organization Oxfam chose to intervene for the first time on American soil since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Effects of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico Effects U.S territory  • Puerto Rico  • Death toll controversy Between September 19–21, 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated

25920-524: The population. Water service was cut to 50,000 customers, especially in the communes of Le Morne-Rouge and Gros-Morne . Numerous roads and streets, especially along the northern coast, were impassible due to rock slides, fallen trees and toppled power poles. Streets in Fort-de-France were inundated. In the seaside commune of Le Carbet , rough seas washed ashore large rocks and demolished some coastal structures, while some boats were blown over along

26112-858: 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. The United States Air Force Air Mobility Command has dedicated eight C-17 Globemaster aircraft to deliver relief supplies. The Air Force assisted the Federal Aviation Administration with air traffic control repairs to increase throughput capacity. 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. The United States Army Corps of Engineers deployed 670 personnel engaged in assessing and restoring

26304-479: The power grid; as of September 25, 83 generators were installed and an additional 186 generators were en route. 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. National Guard troops were activated and deployed to Puerto Rico from Connecticut , Georgia , Iowa , Illinois , Kentucky , Missouri , New York , Rhode Island , and Wisconsin . On September 29,

26496-570: The public library of its roof panels and demolished all but one wall of the Baptist church. To the south of Roseau, riverside flooding and numerous landslides impacted the town of Pointe Michel , destroying about 80% of its structures and causing most of the deaths in the country. Outside the capital area, the worst of the destruction was concentrated around the east coast and rural areas, where collapsed roads and bridges isolated many villages. The port and fishing town of Marigot , Saint Andrew Parish ,

26688-445: 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

26880-504: The rate of intensification that occurred has been exceeded only a few times in the Atlantic since records began. Maria made landfall in Dominica at 01:15 UTC on September 19, becoming the first Category 5 hurricane on record to strike the island nation. Entering the Caribbean Sea, Maria weakened slightly to a Category 4 hurricane due to land interaction with the island of Dominica, however it quickly restrengthened to

27072-499: The region. When water service finally returned, it was unreliable and many still depended on bottled water. 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). A record number of 23 women were murdered and classified as IPV in 2018, and

27264-653: The roof was blown off of numerous structures. San Juan's coastal La Perla neighborhood was largely destroyed. Cataño saw extensive damage, with the Juana Matos neighborhood estimated to be 80 percent destroyed. Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport , San Juan's primary airport, was slated to reopen on September 22. 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

27456-406: The runways remained relatively intact and open to emergency landings. The disaster affected all of the island's 53 health facilities, including the badly damaged primary hospital , compromising the safety of many patients. The infrastructure of Roseau was left in ruins; practically every power pole and line was downed, and the main road was reduced to fragments of flooded asphalt. The winds stripped

27648-480: The second Atlantic hurricane to surpass an ACE value of 70, but did not surpass the San Ciriaco hurricane. The San Ciriaco hurricane is also the longest-lasting Atlantic hurricane in recorded history, lasting for 27.75 days. The hurricane was one of the reasons why some 5,000 Puerto Ricans migrated to Hawaii . Two historians, living in Hawaii, documented the history of Puerto Rican migration to Hawaii and stated

27840-644: The ship sunk, the two survivors were finally rescued by the British steamer Woodruff . The Weather Bureau office in Jupiter, Florida , recorded sustained winds of 52 mph (84 km/h) and a gusts up to 63 mph (101 km/h). Winds downed all telegraph lines in the area, which disrupted telegraphic communications for about 48 hours. Brief periods of heavy rainfall were also reported. At The Breakers hotel in Palm Beach , storm surge ripped off

28032-969: The ships that wrecked was the barkentine Priscilla . Rasmus Midgett , a United States Life-Saving Service member, single-handedly rescued 10 people from the Priscilla . On October 18, Midgett was awarded the Lifesaving Medal by Secretary of the Treasury Lyman J. Gage . Heavy rains and strong winds as far inland as Raleigh resulted in "great damage" to crops. There were at least 20 fatalities in North Carolina. Strong winds were also reported in Virginia. At Cape Henry , winds peaked at 68 mph (109 km/h) for five minutes. In Norfolk , five-minute sustained winds reached 42 miles per hour (68 km/h). The storm

28224-420: The six men on the other raft also jumped into the sea. Because the remaining three men realized that they were facing starvation or death by dehydration, they drew lots to determine who would be cannibalized by the other two. The loser was killed, and the other two drank blood from his veins. One of them then went insane and bit large chunks of flesh from the other man's face and chest. On August 31, two weeks after

28416-455: The slowest restoration in the north. 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. 4,246 people were still living in emergency shelters, and tourism was down by half. As of November 5, more than 100,000 people had left Puerto Rico for the mainland. A December 17 report indicated that 600 people remained in shelters while 130,000 had left

28608-457: The south of the archipelago, which endured hours of unabating hurricane-force winds. The strongest winds blew along the southern coastlines of Basse-Terre Island : Gourbeyre observed a peak wind speed of 101 mph (163 km/h), while winds up north in nearby Baillif reached 92 mph (148 km/h). Along those regions, the hurricane kicked up extremely rough seas with 20 ft (6.1 m) waves. The combination of rough seas and winds

28800-455: The southern Windward Islands . The Hewanorra and George F. L. Charles airports of Saint Lucia respectively recorded 4.33 and 3.1 in (110 and 79 mm) of rain, though even higher quantities fell elsewhere on the island. Scattered rock slides, landslides and uprooted trees caused minor damage and blocked some roads. Several districts experienced localized blackouts due to downed or damaged power lines. The agricultural sector, especially

28992-481: 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. Utilizing a similar method, The New York Times indicated an increase of 1,052 fatalities in

29184-413: The state of North Carolina. In the Azores, the storm also caused one fatality and significant damage on some islands. The storm may have originated from a tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa. However, due to observational methods available to contemporary meteorologists, with ship reports being the only reliable tool for observing hurricanes, this is impossible to prove. A tropical storm

29376-409: The storm curved eastward over the northwestern Atlantic. It also began losing tropical characteristics and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone at 0000 UTC on August 22, while located about 325 miles (525 km) south of Sable Island . However, after four days, the system regenerated into a tropical storm while located about 695 miles (1,120 km) west-southwest of Flores Island in

29568-481: The storm unroofed and flooded many houses. Communications were significantly disrupted in the interior portions of the island. Impact was severe in Montserrat , with nearly every building destroyed and 100 deaths reported. About 200 small houses were destroyed on Saint Kitts , with estates suffering considerable damage, while nearly all estates were destroyed on Saint Croix . Eleven deaths were reported on

29760-556: The storm was the deadliest hurricane to hit the island and the strongest at the time, until the Hurricane San Felipe Segundo made landfall in 1928 as a Category 5 hurricane. It was also among the deadliest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded . Also, with an accumulated cyclone energy of 73.57, it has the highest ACE of any Atlantic hurricane in history and was second highest overall, until surpassed by 2023's Cyclone Freddy . In 2004, Hurricane Ivan became

29952-553: The system attained its peak intensity with a maximum sustained wind speed of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 930  mbar (27  inHg ), observed by a weather station on Montserrat . The hurricane weakened slightly while moving west-northward across the Caribbean Sea and made landfall in Guayama, Puerto Rico late on August 8 with winds of 140 mph (220 km/h). August 8

30144-528: The system merged with a low pressure area . With just under 28 days as a tropical cyclone, this system became the longest-lasting Atlantic hurricane on record. On August 7, after stations in the Lesser Antilles reported a change in wind from the northeast to the northwest, the United States Weather Bureau ordered hurricane signals at Roseau , Dominica , Basseterre , Saint Kitts , and San Juan, Puerto Rico ; later,

30336-486: The territory's agriculture was lost due to the hurricane, with agricultural losses estimated at $ 780 million. The hurricane completely destroyed the island's power grid, leaving all 3.4 million residents without electricity. Governor Rosselló stated that it could take months to restore power in some locations, with San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz estimating that some areas would remain without power for four to six months. Communication networks were crippled across

30528-523: The territory, peaking at 37.9 inches (960 mm) in Caguas . The eyewall replacement cycle that caused María to weaken to Category 4 strength also caused the eye to triple in size as the diameter expanded 9–28  nmi (10–32  mi ) prior to landfall. This change in size caused the area exposed to high-intensity winds on the island to be far greater. Widespread flooding affected San Juan, waist-deep in some areas, and numerous structures lost their roof. The coastal La Perla neighborhood of San Juan

30720-470: The towns. After the storm, residents began abandoning the area and re-settled in other cities, most of them located elsewhere in the Outer Banks. On Ocracoke Island , the island was covered with 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 metres) of water. A total of 33 homes were destroyed and nearly every other suffered damage. Additionally, two churches were demolished. Several cows, horses, and sheep drowned. Among

30912-575: The upper portion of the ocean deck, which consisted of railings, a canopy, and a flagpole. Between Titusville and Miami , losses reached $ 5,000. Tides along the coast of South Carolina peaked at 2.8 ft (0.85 m), resulting in no coastal flooding . Well executed warnings were attributed to no fatalities in South Carolina. Strong winds were observed in coastal North Carolina, with sustained winds up to 93 mph (150 km/h) and gusts as high as 140 mph (230 km/h). However,

31104-625: 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. On October 10, 2017, Carnival Cruise Lines announced that it would resume departures of cruises from San Juan on October 15, 2017. On October 13, both CNN and The Guardian reported that Puerto Ricans were drinking water that

31296-431: The water supply system, many of Dominica's residents were in dire need of food, water and shelter for days. With no access to electricity or running water, and with sewage systems destroyed, fears of widespread diarrhea and dysentery arose. The island's agriculture, a vital source of income for many, was obliterated as most trees were flattened. Meanwhile, the driving force of the economy—tourism—was expected to be scarce in

31488-650: The weeks following Maria alleviated this problem, although it also slowed recovery efforts, particularly rebuilding damaged rooftops. Through the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility , Dominica received approximately US$ 19.2 million in emergency funds. USS  Wasp , previously deployed to Saint Martin to assist in relief efforts after Hurricane Irma, arrived in Dominica on September 22. The vessel carried two Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk helicopters to assist in distribution of relief supplies in hard-to-reach areas. At

31680-399: The west end of St. Croix, as well as along the southern shoreline, leaving 3 people dead. Weather stations on St. Croix recorded between 10 and 20 inches (250 and 510 mm) of rain from the hurricane, and estimates for St. John and St. Thomas were somewhat less. The hurricane killed two people, both in their homes: one person drowned and another was trapped by a mudslide. A third person had

31872-617: The works, including the shipment of hundreds of Tesla Powerwall battery systems to be integrated with solar PV systems and Sonnen solar microgrid projects at 15 emergency community centers; the first were expected to be completed in October. 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. Many TV and movie stars donated money to hurricane relief organizations to help

32064-514: The worst conditions, accompanied by hurricane-force winds from the west-southwest. Not one family escaped serious damage, even on the highest land, and the storm destroyed all the crops, leading to starvation. Many homes were badly damaged or swept off their foundations, along with some churches. On the Berry Islands at least a dozen boats were driven ashore, and an Episcopal church was destroyed. Grand Bahama incurred severe damage, including

32256-559: Was 80% damaged. Settlements in Saint David Parish , such as Castle Bruce , Good Hope and Grand Fond , had been practically eradicated; many homes hung off cliffs or decoupled from their foundations. In Rosalie , rushing waters gushed over the village's bridge and damaged facilities in its bay area. Throughout Saint Patrick Parish , the extreme winds ripped through roofs and scorched the vegetation. Buildings in Grand Bay ,

32448-517: Was a "sudden change in the weather", falling barometric pressures , and increasingly rough seas. Further, the storm "showed all the symptoms of a genuine West Indian hurricane underdeveloped." The captain, who followed a route from Europe to Brazil for many years, noted that he never experienced "any weather of cyclonic character so far to the eastward before". Thereafter, the storm strengthened and reached winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) early on August 4. Intensification halted until late on

32640-474: Was being pumped from a well at an EPA Superfund site; the water was later determined to be safe to drink. 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. 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

32832-413: Was considerably damaged. About 10 bushels of salt were lost. Two churches and a number of private homes were damaged on San Salvador Island . A few ships and vessels were destroyed, damaged, or lost on Eleuthera , leaving a few people missing. On San Salvador Island , two churches and many dwellings were destroyed. On Bimini , a barometric low of 28.00 inHg (948 mb) was measured during

33024-547: Was demolished along the Staniard Creek . At Coakley Town, several houses were blown down, while a number of vessels sunk. Overall, at least 114 deaths occurred on land alone. Several schooners were lost near Andros Island, while at least 30 other schooners were driven ashore and severely damaged or demolished. Offshore the United States between Florida and North Carolina, the Norwegian bark Drot encountered

33216-734: Was described as an image of "horrible desolation" by its municipal council. Impact was worst in Utuado , with damage exceeding $ 2.5 million. In Humacao, 23 inches (580 mm) of rain fell in only 24 hours. In Dominican Republic , heavy rainfall caused the Ozama River to overflow its banks, sweeping away an iron bridge. A freshet was also reported along the Haina River in San Cristóbal Province , washing away many houses. The storm brought catastrophic impact to

33408-444: Was destroyed by the hurricane; losses are estimated at $ 780 million. Plantains, bananas and coffee farms were severely damaged and more than 90% of Puerto Rico's poultry was destroyed. 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

33600-406: Was devastated by the storm. All boats and other forms of transportation on the island were destroyed, with several crews either completely lost or missing some few members. Several bodies washed ashore and were immediately buried. A total of 46 deaths were reported at sea, with some victims as young as 8-years old. At Gray's Settlement, several houses, outbuildings, and a church were destroyed. Of

33792-608: 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". On September 29 he stated that there were not enough troops and equipment in place but more would be arriving soon. 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

33984-495: Was effectively destroyed by the hurricane, leaving millions without electricity. Governor Ricardo Rosselló estimated that Maria caused at least 90 billion dollars in damage. 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. 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. One month after

34176-489: Was first observed about 480 miles (770 km) southwest of the southwesternmost islands of Cape Verde at 00:00  UTC on August 3. According to an article by the United States Hydrographic Office , the British steamship Grangense encountered the system later that day, while located about 1,800 miles (2,900 km) east-southeast of Guadeloupe . According to the ship's log, there

34368-665: Was issued for the Pamlico Sound , the lower Neuse River , and the Alligator River on the morning of September 26. A state of emergency was declared by officials in Dare and Hyde counties, while visitors were ordered to evacuate Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. Ferry service between Ocracoke and Cedar Island was suspended the evening of September 25, and remained suspended on September 26 and 27, due to rough seas, while ferry service between Ocracoke and Hatteras Island

34560-603: Was largely destroyed. Cataño saw extensive damage, with the Juana Matos neighborhood estimated to be 80-percent destroyed. The primary airport in San Juan, the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport , was slated to reopen on September 22. 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

34752-491: Was located about 665 mi (1,070 km) east of Barbados . Favorable conditions along the system's path consisting of warm sea surface temperatures of 29 °C (84 °F), low wind shear , and abundant moisture aloft allowed the disturbance to consolidate and become Tropical Storm Maria 6 hours later, after satellite images had indicated that the low-level circulation of the wave had become well-defined. Maria gradually strengthened, and by late on September 17, although

34944-630: Was quite severe along the James River , with low-lying areas of Norfolk inundated by wind-driven tides, while livestock drowned in the flood waters at Suffolk . A "heavy northeastern storm" began in Petersburg the night of August 17. In Southside Virginia , corn and tobacco suffered considerable damage as crops were leveled by strong winds. In the Azores , "several lives were lost" on São Miguel Island . Strong winds and heavy rainfall damaged many houses, inundated several roads, and toppled

35136-528: Was recorded. All fishing piers and equipment were destroyed, while every bridge was swept away. About 10 vessels, including a large steamship, were wrecked. Dosher sent a report to Washington, D.C. , on August 21, four days after the storm hit the Outer Banks. In his report Dosher wrote: Severe damage also occurred at Diamond City and Shackleford Banks , where nearly every house was swept away. A number of farm animals drowned. The tides unearthed caskets, damaging them and leaving bones scattered throughout

35328-436: Was responsible for widespread structural damage and flooding throughout the archipelago, especially from Pointe-à-Pitre, along Grand-Terre Island 's southwestern coast, to Petit-Bourg and the southern coasts on Basse-Terre Island. Aside from wind-related effects, rainfall from Maria was also significant. In just a day, the hurricane dropped nearly a month's worth of rainfall at some important locations: Pointe-à-Pitre recorded

35520-510: Was restored to most of the island, though outages continued. In 2020, FEMA officials indicated that the island was not prepared for another hurricane. By four years after the storm, most of the reconstruction work had not been begun, let alone completed. As of September 2021, FEMA had only delivered 18% of funds allocated for the island. As of 2021, of the 19,558 homes affected by the hurricane which requested financial assistance, only 1,651 had been repaired or remodeled. On September 23, 2021,

35712-565: Was severe in Montserrat, with nearly every building destroyed. The Courthouse and a school, both of which remained standing, became crowded with homeless women and children. One hundred deaths and fourteen hundred injuries were reported. In Saint Kitts , 5-minute sustained winds were 72 mph (116 km/h), while 1-minute sustained winds were as high as 120 mph (190 km/h). About 200 small houses were destroyed on Saint Kitts, with estates suffering considerable damage. Despite

35904-821: Was suspended on September 26 and 27. The port in Morehead City was closed by the United States Coast Guard on the morning of September 26. Schools in Dare County closed on September 26 and 27, while schools in Carteret and Tyrrell counties, along with Ocracoke Island, dismissed early on September 26, in anticipation of high winds. Schools in Currituck County were closed on September 27, due to high winds. The outer rainbands of Maria produced heavy rainfall and strong gusts across

36096-498: Was the namesday of Saint Cyriacus , hence the hurricane's nickname. Several weather stations across the island reported low barometric pressures, with a reading as low as 939 mbar (27.7 inHg) in Guayama. Wind shifts were also experienced across the island, primarily in the south and the west. The storm crossed Puerto Rico in approximately six hours and emerged into the Atlantic Ocean late on August 8, while weakening to

36288-534: Was the American invasion." The San Ciriaco hurricane was described as the first major storm in Puerto Rico since the 1876 San Felipe hurricane . Approximately 250,000 people were left without food and shelter. Overall, damage totaled approximately $ 35.8 million, with over half were losses inflicted on crops, particularly coffee. At the time, it was the costliest and worst tropical cyclone in Puerto Rico. The number of fatalities ranged from 3,100 to 3,400, with

36480-500: Was the costliest and worst tropical cyclone in the history of Puerto Rico. It was estimated that the storm caused 3,369 fatalities on the island territory. In the Bahamas, strong winds and waves sank 50 small crafts, most of them at Andros . Severe damage was reported in Nassau , with over 100 buildings destroyed and many damaged, including the Government House . A few houses were also destroyed on Bimini . The death toll in

36672-524: Was the worst affected crop, with 18 million coffee trees destroyed, which will require about five to ten years to bring back at least 15% of the coffee production of the island. The Whitney Museum of American Art documented Hurricane Maria experiences in Puerto Rico and its aftermath in an art exhibition November 23, 2022 – April 23, 2023: "no existe un mundo poshuracán: Puerto Rican Art in the Wake of Hurricane Maria." Torrential rains and strong winds impacted

36864-430: Was to rescue survivors rather than assess damage. Initial ham radio reports from the capital of Roseau on September 19 indicated "total devastation," with half the city flooded, cars stranded, and stretches of residential area "flattened". The next morning, the first aerial footage of Dominica elucidated the scope of the destruction. Maria left the mountainous country blanketed in a field of debris: Rows of houses along

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