Damage
Estimated $91.6 billion in damage, making it one of the most costly tropical cyclones in the United States since 1990, behind Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Harvey. Estimated to be over 3,000 deaths, even though only 65 were initially recorded in Puerto Rico, and 31 in Dominica. Most of the deaths were due to drowning in flood waters, being swept up by the floodwaters, or being overcome by mudslides.
Household-based surveys have been conducted in order to better calculate the amount of deaths due to Hurricane Maria. They indicate that the mortality rate of Hurricane Maria is actually 70% higher than initially recorded. They believe they are drastically higher than originally reported because factors such as disease that kills a victim later on were not reported. Disease and infections due to to injuries that occurred from the Hurricane debris were highly common in Puerto Rico because they lost all power, access to clean running water, and accessibility to hospitals for medical treatment. Marinas and harbors were also severely damaged from the massive waves and currents coming from the hurricane, making it harder to supplies and help from outside resources.
Once lush tropical islands reduced to immense fields of debris. St.Croix was the most severely affected, with wind damage that caused many fallen trees, house destruction, and roof damage, along with excessive rainfall that caused a lot of flooding and mudslides. Hurricane Maria also caused a lot more vegetation and tree damage than Hurricanes that have struck Puerto Rico in the past. It has caused triple the amount of stem breakage and double the tree mortality rate compared to Hurricane Hugo, and Hurricane Georges that also occurred in Puerto Rico.