Hurricane Maria knocked out power across the entire island, and many areas lack running water. Doing laundry, turning on the lights, eating dinner: Everyday life has become a constant challenge.
Early reports that a secondary dish at the observatory was destroyed by Maria turn out not to be correct, according to a group that helps run the facility.
On a major expressway in the north of the island, drivers chase after elusive cell service. Some have managed to make calls to the mainland — though not always to relatives elsewhere on the island.
Michael Fernandez, executive director of CARAS, a nonprofit based in Puerto Rico, speaks with NPR's Scott Simon from the island, where he's aiding in the disaster recovery efforts.
Even before Maria, the island suffered from frequent power outages and crippling debt. Now organizations must figure out how to deliver relief to a place that may not have electricity for months.
Two days after Hurricane Maria thrashed the island, most of Puerto Rico's cellular sites are down — along with the entire power grid — making it difficult to check on people there.