Hurricane Maria started as a category one storm that quickly amped up until it made its most devastating landfall in Puerto Rico as a whopping category four at 155 miles per hour. The deadly storm has cut off nearly all power and communication with the outside world. The situation escalated on Friday as a major dam, Guajataca, broke and flooded areas that were already suffering from the storm. With the disaster left behind by Maria, Puerto Rico is struggling to start the road to recovery. However, the damage is immense.

The storm has knocked out the majority of the transmission lines and left most of the island without power. Without the cell towers, people are still struggling to get in touch with their families or call for help. Food is scarce, and with 80 percent of crops being destroyed, it will be awhile before stores can actually restock their shelves. Running water and gas are also lacking in most homes, making it difficult for citizens to find clean water and travel to find resources. As time goes on, the situation has continued to decline instead of improve as hospitals cannot treat their wounded and people cannot spare enough water to wash themselves.

President Donald Trump has mentioned that food and water will be coming to Puerto Rico on his Twitter account, and on Tuesday he announced he would be visiting the island the following week.

Even with minimal supplies, the recovery effort will take Puerto Rico many years. Not only were 16 people killed in the tragic natural disaster, but countless homes and businesses were destroyed as well. As the island’s situation continued to grow worse, people fear the number of deaths will grow even higher.