Human consequences
Most deaths occur in the following months, for lack of electricity, care and clean water.
Home › All disasters › Hurricane Maria
Hurricane & cycloneHurricane Maria
2,975Deaths
Not quantifiedDisplaced / homeless
$90bnEstimated cost
- George Washington University estimate; the initial official toll was only 64 deaths.
- About 90 billion dollars in damage.
A Category 4 hurricane crosses Puerto Rico from end to end, two weeks after Hurricane Irma. The island’s power grid collapses completely.
Consequences
Environmental consequences
Rainforests stripped of their leaves over much of the island.
Economic consequences
The longest blackout in US history, about 11 months for some households.
Political consequences
The federal response is fiercely criticised and revives the debate on Puerto Rico’s status; more than 100,000 residents leave for the mainland.
Further reading
Similar disasters
- Hurricane KatrinaHurricane & cyclone · United States2005
- Hurricane MitchHurricane & cyclone · Central America1998
- Cyclone IdaiHurricane & cyclone · Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi2019
- Typhoon HaiyanHurricane & cyclone · Philippines2013
In the rankings : The deadliest hurricanes and cyclones No. 7The costliest disasters in history No. 9
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