A resident of the La Perla neighborhood in San Juan, Puerto Rico, surveys the damage.
Days after Hurricane Maria pounded the island of Puerto Rico, killing at least 10 people, authorities are starting to see firsthand the scope of devastation that left the US territory off the grid.
Without power and communications in much of the island, millions of people, including city leaders and first responders, have been cut off from the world since Maria hit Wednesday.Authorities flew over the island Saturday, and were stunned by what they saw. No cellphones, water or power. Roads completely washed away and others blocked by debris, isolating residents. "It was devastating to see all that kind of debris in all areas, in all towns of the island," Jenniffer González, the island's non-voting representative in Congress told CNN.
"We never expected to have a lot of debris in so many areas. A lot of roads are closed, older ones are just gone," she added.
At least 10 people have been confirmed killed by the storm, according to Gov. Ricardo Rosselló's office. Roselló met with more than 50 mayors and representatives from across Puerto Rico on Saturday.
Some described the conditions in their communities as "apocalyptic" and said there have been incidents of looting in both homes and stores. "We know a little more today than we did yesterday," Rossello said. "This is going to be a long road." A dam is in danger of collapsing, adding to the crisis.
Comment: A similar event took place in June as Tropical Storm Cindy hit the coast, see: Wrong place, wrong time: Tropical seabird turns up at Point Pelee, Ontario