Crews in Puerto RIco working ‘morning until night’ trying to restore power

Pablo Pantoja | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Motorists evade a power line post after Hurricane Maria near Santa Elena in Bayamón, Puerto Rico on September 21, 2017.

Recovery will take longer in the remote communities in the center of the island, he said. The area is the hardest hit because it is on higher ground and therefore was pummeled by winds.

Utility crews from the U.S. mainland headed to the island to help restore power, including utility companies from New York, Georgia and Florida. Crews are “working from early morning til night trying to get power back,” Marin said.

Another issue is getting the materials they sorely need. The island had just committed resources to restoring power after Hurricane Irma. Marin said power was 96 percent back online when Maria hit.

“Many of the supplies and assets were committed to that recovery. FEMA is bringing in tons of supplies,” said Marin.