Hurricane Maria Batters Puerto Rico
- Entire island is without power after Hurricane Maria
- Puerto Rico’s financial district flooded as trees fall
Puerto Rico Faces Steep Damage in Wake of Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Maria ripped through Puerto Rico, causing potentially billions of dollars in damage and threatening to continue the population exodus that helped push the island into bankruptcy.
Maria made landfall in the southeastern part of the U.S. territory Wednesday with winds reaching 155 miles (249 kilometers) per hour, knocking out electricity across the island. The storm flooded parts of downtown San Juan, downed trees and ripped the roofs from homes. Puerto Rico has little financial wherewithal to navigate a major catastrophe, given its decision in May to seek protection from creditors after a decade of economic decline, excessive borrowing and the loss of residents to the U.S. mainland.