A massive federal response in Puerto Rico is making some gains in helping the island emerge from “the catastrophic impact” of two back-to-back hurricanes, officials said Monday.
A day ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to Puerto Rico, a spokesman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency told Newsmax more than 12,200 federal staff are on the ground overseeing recovery efforts.
“While the catastrophic impact from Hurricanes Irma and Maria led to serious logistical challenges, we’re working closely with our federal partners and Commonwealth officials to continue to save and sustain lives, and restore routine,” the spokesman said.
As of Sunday night, 843 lives have been “saved and assisted,” and more than 240 Puerto Rican patients have been seen by Health and Human Services medical teams, officials said.
The recovery has seen 14 hospitals returned to the electrical grid, while 95 percent of Puerto Rican dialysis centers are open for patients, they added.
On restoration of food and water sources, officials reported more than half of grocery and “big-box stores” are open, and 12 National Guard armories are serving as distribution points for food and water in cities and towns across the island, officials said.
Forty-five percent of island residents now have access to drinking water, FEMA reported.
Infrastructure recovery numbers that have been encouraging include:
- 12 major highways, and three state roads are open;
- 12 ports are open; and
- Nearly 70 percent of retail gas stations are operational.
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