US President Joe Biden announced Thursday that the federal government is ready to assist Puerto Rico to rebound from Hurricane Fiona.
"We're all in this together," Biden said during a briefing with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials in New York.
In Puerto Rico, where Fiona triggered an island-wide blackout, Biden pointed out that hundreds of FEMA and other federal officials are already deployed, AP News reported.
Over 60 percent of electricity users were still without power on Thursday, and a third of customers were without water. Local officials were unable to determine when the services would be completely restored.
In his message, Biden told the people of Puerto Rico: "We're with you. We're not going to walk away."
Many Puerto Ricans are still aching from the onslaught of Hurricane Maria five years ago.
The latest hurricane was still a Category 4 late Thursday as it passed Bermuda. Authorities opened shelters and canceled schools and offices Friday.
Fiona was forecast to still be a massive and extremely deadly storm when it made landfall in the Atlantic provinces of Canada, most likely late on Friday.
Full Force Relief for Puerto Rico
The cost of Puerto Rico's hurricane Fiona recovery would be covered entirely by the federal government, according to President Joe Biden.
A day after Pres. Biden issued a major disaster declaration for Puerto Rico on Wednesday, the measure would expand federal assistance as funds will be available for debris cleanup, emergency protection, and other services.
"We're laser-focused on what's happening to the people of Puerto Rico," President Biden remarked.
The federal government typically pays 75 percent, and in some circumstances 90 percent, of the cost of disaster recovery, with state and local governments picking up the remaining costs, according to Politico.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, the majority leader in the Senate, urged the federal government to pay the expenses on Tuesday, pointing out the poor financial situation of the Puerto Rican government.
Dire Situation for Puerto Ricans
Following Hurricane Fiona, hundreds of thousands of people in Puerto Rico are still without water and electricity. When it made landfall, Fiona was only a category 1 hurricane. Although it was moving slowly, some locations received more than 30 inches of rain, and the floods washed away roads, cutting off some mountain settlements.
A mudslide in the town of Orocovis prevented locals from getting food, water, and other essentials since the route was blocked. Local construction crews removed tons of soil, grass, and pebbles from the road. By Thursday, one road had been cleared, enabling several trucks carrying supplies of food, water, and fuel to enter the city.
The National Guard of Puerto Rico has visited remote villages to provide residents who are having problems getting into town with food and other supplies, as per an NPR report.
Corporal Alexis Cruz noted that they are "just trying to spread a little bit of happiness among all this mess."
According to Puerto Rico's water administration, more than two-thirds of its customers now have access to service. According to the island's power company, around 40% of its clients currently have access to electricity.
