Puerto Rico’s path back to normalcy is blocked by fallen trees, no power, very little food or water and precious little fuel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife (Service) officials said in a Friday morning conference call.
But that path is showing a few, small signs of clearing in the days following Hurricane Maria’s landfall.
An airplane carrying supplies from the mainland United States landed at the U.S. territory Thursday afternoon. A National Park Service vessel loaded with five pallets of necessities landed that day, too. And the aviaries at El Yunque have been at least partially repaired.
Perhaps more encouraging: The military has stepped in. Lt. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, the commander of U.S. Army North, on Thursday assumed command of all U.S. military relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
Still, Puerto Rico is far from full recovery.
Among the most critical shortages: fuel. Service crews indicated they cannot move much farther in search and rescue operations without gasoline for vans and trucks. Mudslides have slowed their progress, too.
Vieques, off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, needs more water and food, too.
