Puerto Rico gets $13 billion in relief fund three years after Hurricane Maria

US President Donald Trump on Friday, September 18, anunced releasing $13 billion in funds to Puerto Rico for repairing years old dam caused by Hurricane Maria. During a White House press conference, Trump said, “I’m best thing that ever happened to Puerto Rico”. 

While for most of his time in White House, Trump slammed Puerto Rican officials as corrupt and inept, he has w pledged to restore ecomy of area. As per reports, in September 2017, Hurricane Maria wiped out important infrastructure on island of Puerto Rico, including a power grid which resulted in longest blackout in US history. 

In race for White House, Democratic minee Joe Biden has also released a recovery plan for territory, seeking support from Puerto Ricans. region is considered to have one of largest concentrations of people on US mainland.

Read: Puerto Rico To Reopen Beaches, Gyms, aters Amid Pandemic

Trump plans to rebuild Puerto Rico

According to official numbers, which Trump had first dismissed as "exaggerated figures", Hurricane Maria killed 3,000 people in Puerto Rico with an estimated $100 billion in dam.

As per reports, Trump's funds include nearly $10 billion for electrical grid rebuild project. US lawmaker Nydia Velázquez, who hails from island, said “ Trump Administration delayed, dragged its feet and resisted allocating se badly needed funds. w, forty-six days before election, administration has finally seen fit to release se funds”. 

Read: Tropical Storm Slashes Souast Of Puerto Rico

Meanwhile, Hurricane Laura has left almost 750,000 without power and water in just Louisiana. As per reports, communities started a clean-up drive along state's ravd coastline where officials believe that situation could persist for a long period of time. storm resulted in thousands of people leaving ir homes and fleeing Gulf-Coast. 

Lake Charles, a city having a population of 80,000 people is reported to have sustained some of worst dam. Hurricane Laura caused electricity out and trees blocking paths creating a huge traffic snarl. Mayor Nic Hunter informed that authorities are working to restore electricity and water treatment plants.

Read: At Least 1 Dead, Hundreds Rescued After Hurricane Sally

Also Read: Gulf Coast Residents Warned Of Hurricane Dangers

(Im Credits: Unsplash/AP)