I agree with your statement that they were a disaster to begin with, even before the storm.
And I agree, as well, that it will take years, not months to recover from the infrastructure breakdown.
We take electricity for granted, each time we flip on the switch we expect it to be there; if its not there, we tend to panic if we have no alternative power source.
Puerto Rico demonstrates the various ways in which failure of one part of the infrastructure impacts other on other systems; they are interdependent.
Add to that no telecommunication, debris covering roadways, a dock workers strike, fuel shortages, governmental corruption, a truckers strike, and you have a social catastrophe .
Now throw in bankruptcy ... (gulp !)
What was the percentage of people without power before the hurricane?
Yes indeed!
I could hardly believe it when the PR truckers refused to distribute food etc. and went on strike! Where were the heads of these people..certainly not on the disaster or the life of their citizens. I did hear that because they refused and continued to refuse our good Military men and women did the job and did it well!..Trump sees something that needs to get done he simply goes around the ‘opposition’ and finds those or orders those who are willing to do the job!
Good on Trump for his “get it done” thinking!