Number of Puerto Ricans with power falls over a month after hurricane

The number of Puerto Ricans with power on the island appears to be falling again, more than a month after Hurricane Maria made landfall on the U.S. territory.

Eighteen percent of Puerto Ricans now have electricity, according to a situation update on the recovery efforts. Vox News reported Monday that roughly 21 percent of the island had power that day.

BREAKING More than a month after Hurricane #Maria struck Puerto Rico, the number of islanders with electricity is FALLING, down 3.2% to 18%. pic.twitter.com/t1Z0TqiGni

— James Cook (@BBCJamesCook) October 24, 2017

{mosads}

Hurricane Maria struck the island in September, devastating Puerto Rico’s already fragile power grid.

A tiny power company in Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s hometown won a $300 million contract to restore power on the island, despite the company only having two full-time employees on the day Hurricane Maria made landfall.

President Trump said last week that he “would give myself a 10” on his response to the hurricane.

The Senate is set to vote on a $36.5 billion disaster relief bill Tuesday, including funding for hurricane recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.