Northern Command deploys sandbags, food and water in Puerto Rico

The U.S. Northern Command (Northcom) issued a statement Saturday emphasizing the military’s commitment to recovery efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.

U.S. Northern Command said it was deploying “sustainment units and other command and control elements, as well as large sandbags for temporary repairs at the Guajataca Dam.”

LATEST: US Northern Command issues statement on efforts to open roads, restore power and distribute resources on Puerto Rico. pic.twitter.com/gxQ2pMTs5H

— ABC News (@ABC) September 30, 2017

Northcom also said it was sending more food and water to Puerto Rico residents.

Army Lt. Gen. Jeff Buchanan said Friday morning that the Pentagon has 10,000 people helping with the response after Hurricanes Irma and Maria ripped through Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands earlier this month.

“We’re certainly bringing in more [troops],” Buchanan said on CNN’s “New Day.”{mosads}

“For example, on the military side, we’re bringing in both Air Force, Navy, and Army medical capabilities in addition to aircraft, more helicopters. … [But] it’s not enough, and we’re bringing more in.”

The Pentagon has already allocated more than 4,000 troops to help in rescue and restoration efforts to the U.S. territories, but it wasn’t until Thursday, eight days after Maria slammed the Caribbean, that Northcom sent Buchanan.