Hurricane Maria was the sixth fastest intensifying hurricane on record. The National Hurricane Center, in it’s final assessment, report that winds that slammed into the islands mountains were likely more intense and lethal than previously reported.
The April 6,2018 report put the official damage tally at $90 billion. That places Maria as the third costliest storm on record and the islands most destructive. Only Katrina and Harvey had higher damage totals.Less than two months before the start of a new hurricane season, much of Puerto Rico remains in ruins. At least 70,000 homes were destroyed, blue tarps still covering countless roofs. Eighty percent of the island’s utility poles were knocked down and, as of March, about 150,000 homes were still without power. Last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it was sending more personnel and equipment to help rebuild the grid after FEMA sent another $140 million to extend a $510 million contract.
The official death count still stands at 65. After review it is expected that hundreds more will be added to the total.
In addition to wind, Maria generated dangerous storm surge and huge amounts of rain as it barreled through the Caribbean. Storm surge reached between nine and 9.5 feet along the coast and four to seven feet farther inland near Yabucoa, Maunabo and Patillas. In the Virgin Islands, storm surge reached one to three feet. As it moved north, Maria also sent a storm surge far to the west, pushing water one to three feet above ground along the North Carolina coast.
Rainfall was widespread, triggering brutal mudslides. Dominica, a lush island that the report notes was “reduced to an immense field of debris,” was pounded with 22.8 inches. One location in Puerto Rico recorded 38 inches.
The rain and surge also helped fuel unprecedented flooding, especially in the northern parts of Puerto Rico, the report said. The entire valley around the island’s longest river, La Plata, flooded, stranding hundreds of families on rooftops