US President Joe Biden delivers remarks in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on October 3, 2022.
- Biden flew to Puerto Rico on Monday to inspect storm damage, saying in a veiled jab at his predecessor Donald Trump that the territory had not"been taken very good care of" during a crippling series of past hurricanes. President Biden on Monday traveled to Puerto Rico to survey the federal response to last month's“I'm committed to this island,” Biden said in Ponce, Puerto Rico. “You deserve every bit of help this country can give you.
Two weeks later, more than 120,000 homes and businesses are still without power. At least 16 deaths have been connected to the storm as parts of the island are still recovering from the damage caused by Maria, which hit Puerto Rico as a Category 4 hurricane in 2017, killing nearly 3,000 people. Biden announced $60 million in additional funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help shore up levies, fortify the island’s floodwalls and create a new flood warning system for Puerto Rico’s 2.6 million residents.The president, who was joined by first lady Jill Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell on the trip, received a briefing from Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi and other federal and local officials before delivering remarks.
The president and first lady were scheduled to meet with families and community leaders impacted by Hurricane Fiona at a local school before returning to Washington, D.C., later Monday.