Puerto Rico is still attempting to survive following the devastating blow to the small island delivered by Hurricane Maria last week, Fortune reports.
The death toll stands at more than 10, and the island’s governor has been pleading with members of Congress and President Donald Trump to send mandated aid.
Without air conditioning and very limited food and water, passengers at San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marin international airport are running out of options. They’ve been sleeping on dirty floors and sweating due to the dangerous humidity as they await planes to depart.
The U.S. territory was left completely without power as a result of the hurricane. Airlines recently began offering flights to the U.S. mainland , but as a result, passengers have endured long lines and waits.
On Saturday, the airport started allowing 10 commercial flights headed to the U.S. mainland to leave each day.
In response to accusations of some airlines’ price gouging amid the significant demand for flights, American Airlines reportedly capped its main cabin fares for for flights leaving the island at $99 until Oct. 8.
Beyond the airport’s confines, tens of thousands of residents are struggling with the aftermath of extensive damage to their home, which was already facing a financial crisis.
Officials say it could take several months to rebuild the damage Hurricane Maria has caused.
Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said he needs more help from the federal government in terms of recovery efforts.
“We still need some more help. This is clearly a critical disaster in Puerto Rico,” he told the Washington Post. “It can’t be minimized and we can’t start overlooking us now that the storm passed, because the danger lurks.”
