A car drives under downed power lines. Ricardo Arduengo for NBC News
Time: Anger Grows as Half of Puerto Rico Remains Without Power Months After Hurricane
(SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico) — The revelation that more than 660,000 power customers across Puerto Rico still lack electricity more than three months after Hurricane Maria has sparked outrage, surprise and resignation among some islanders who accuse officials of mismanaging their response to the Category 4 storm.
It’s the first time the government of the U.S. territory has provided that statistic, which was released as authorities warned that a lot of work remains and that crews were still finding unexpected damage after Maria hit on Sept. 20 with winds of up to 154 mph, knocking power out to the entire island. Officials said 55 percent of Puerto Rico’s nearly 1.5 million customers have power.
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Update #1: Puerto Rico: Power restored to 55% of customers, governor's office says (CNN)
Update #2: Anger grows and hope fades as Puerto Rico’s ground zero remains without power (NBC)
WNU Editor: 55% electricity restored after 100 days is actually quite an accomplishment in view of the damage that was done to the grid when Hurricane Maria hit. And while this is no comfort for those who still do not have power, the sad fact is that it is going to take probably another 4 - 6 months before everything is restored.
