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How Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico — in pictures

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A week-and-a-half after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, which had already been affected by Hurricane Irma, the island is still in shambles.

Aid has started coming in but many people are still without power, cell phone service, clean water and food. Gasoline is difficult or impossible to purchase. And countless homes have been destroyed.

The tenth most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, Maria is the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Puerto Rico since 1928.

While San Juan mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz and President Donald Trump duke it out over how much and how fast the United States is sending aid to the island, the residents of Puerto Rico are coping with the storm's devastating aftermath.

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People clean a business damaged when the Arecibo River overflowed in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, September 30, 2017.
US military and emergency relief teams ramped up their aid efforts for Puerto Rico amid growing criticism of the response to the hurricanes which ripped through the Caribbean island. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO        (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
People clean a business damaged when the Arecibo River overflowed in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, September 30, 2017. US military and emergency relief teams ramped up their aid efforts for Puerto Rico amid growing criticism of the response to the hurricanes which ripped through the Caribbean island. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
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SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 30:  San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz deals with an emergency situation where patients at a hospital need to be moved because a generator stopped working in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria on September 30, 2017 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Puerto Rico experienced widespread damage including to most of the electrical, gas and water grid as well as agriculture after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, passed through.  (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 30: San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz deals with an emergency situation where patients at a hospital need to be moved because a generator stopped working in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria on September 30, 2017 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico experienced widespread damage including to most of the electrical, gas and water grid as well as agriculture after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, passed through. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Carlos Pagan walks in his destroyed house by Hurricane Maria in Yabucoa, in the east of Puerto Rico, on September 28, 2017.

The US island territory, working without electricity, is struggling to dig out and clean up from its disastrous brush with hurricane Maria, blamed for at least 33 deaths across the Caribbean. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMAL        (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Carlos Pagan walks in his destroyed house by Hurricane Maria in Yabucoa, in the east of Puerto Rico, on September 28, 2017. The US island territory, working without electricity, is struggling to dig out and clean up from its disastrous brush with hurricane Maria, blamed for at least 33 deaths across the Caribbean. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMAL (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
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A group of homeless live under a tree next to Laguna del Condado, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 30, 2017. 
This group of young people during the passage of Hurricane Maria went to shelters but after a week had to return to the street. US military and emergency relief teams ramped up their aid efforts for Puerto Rico amid growing criticism of the response to the hurricanes which ripped through the Caribbean island. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMAL        (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
A group of homeless live under a tree next to Laguna del Condado, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 30, 2017. This group of young people during the passage of Hurricane Maria went to shelters but after a week had to return to the street. US military and emergency relief teams ramped up their aid efforts for Puerto Rico amid growing criticism of the response to the hurricanes which ripped through the Caribbean island. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMAL (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
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Yasmin Morales is pictured on September 28, 2017 in her damaged house in Yabucoa, in the eastern part of storm-battered Puerto Rico, following a week of devastation by Hurricane Maria.
One week after the Category Four storm stuck, the White House said US President Donald Trump had made it easier for fuel and water supplies to arrive to the ravaged island of 3.4 million US citizens. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMAL        (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Yasmin Morales is pictured on September 28, 2017 in her damaged house in Yabucoa, in the eastern part of storm-battered Puerto Rico, following a week of devastation by Hurricane Maria. One week after the Category Four storm stuck, the White House said US President Donald Trump had made it easier for fuel and water supplies to arrive to the ravaged island of 3.4 million US citizens. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMAL (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
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A boy passes by municipal workers working to clear the debris and trash of homes damaged by Hurricane Maria, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, on September 30, 2017.
US military and emergency relief teams ramped up their aid efforts for Puerto Rico amid growing criticism of the response to the hurricanes which ripped through the Caribbean island. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMAL        (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
A boy passes by municipal workers working to clear the debris and trash of homes damaged by Hurricane Maria, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, on September 30, 2017. US military and emergency relief teams ramped up their aid efforts for Puerto Rico amid growing criticism of the response to the hurricanes which ripped through the Caribbean island. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMAL (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
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SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 30:  Nilsa Gonzalez and Carlo Gonzalez live in their dark apartment as they and other residents of the 62 and over Moradas Las Teresas's Uno and Dos condo units deal with no electricty in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria on September 30, 2017 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Many of the elderly are having to deal with conditions such as no electricity so they can't take the elevator down from high floors nor can they get water except for a couple hours a day. Taking medication and other basic life sustaining functions have become difficult for many of the residents.  (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 30: Nilsa Gonzalez and Carlo Gonzalez live in their dark apartment as they and other residents of the 62 and over Moradas Las Teresas's Uno and Dos condo units deal with no electricty in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria on September 30, 2017 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Many of the elderly are having to deal with conditions such as no electricity so they can't take the elevator down from high floors nor can they get water except for a couple hours a day. Taking medication and other basic life sustaining functions have become difficult for many of the residents. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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A man carries two bags of ice he bought at a local ice plant in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, September 30, 2017.
US military and emergency relief teams ramped up their aid efforts for Puerto Rico amid growing criticism of the response to the hurricanes which ripped through the Caribbean island. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO        (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
A man carries two bags of ice he bought at a local ice plant in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, September 30, 2017. US military and emergency relief teams ramped up their aid efforts for Puerto Rico amid growing criticism of the response to the hurricanes which ripped through the Caribbean island. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
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People collect water from a natural spring created by the landslides in a mountain next to a road in Corozal, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 24, 2017 following the passage of Hurricane Maria.
Authorities in Puerto Rico rushed on September 23, 2017 to evacuate people living downriver from a dam said to be in danger of collapsing because of flooding from Hurricane Maria. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO        (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
People collect water from a natural spring created by the landslides in a mountain next to a road in Corozal, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 24, 2017 following the passage of Hurricane Maria. Authorities in Puerto Rico rushed on September 23, 2017 to evacuate people living downriver from a dam said to be in danger of collapsing because of flooding from Hurricane Maria. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
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A sign that reads in Spanish "No Gas" is seen at a gas station in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, in Morovis, Puerto Rico, September 30, 2017.
US military and emergency relief teams ramped up their aid efforts for Puerto Rico amid growing criticism of the response to the hurricanes which ripped through the Caribbean island. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO        (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
A sign that reads in Spanish "No Gas" is seen at a gas station in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, in Morovis, Puerto Rico, September 30, 2017. US military and emergency relief teams ramped up their aid efforts for Puerto Rico amid growing criticism of the response to the hurricanes which ripped through the Caribbean island. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
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COROZAL, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 27:  Irma Maldanado stands in what is left of her home that was destroyed when Hurricane Maria passed through on September 27, 2017 in Corozal, Puerto Rico.  Puerto Rico experienced widespread damage including most of the electrical, gas and water grid as well as agriculture after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, passed through.  (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
COROZAL, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 27: Irma Maldanado stands in what is left of her home that was destroyed when Hurricane Maria passed through on September 27, 2017 in Corozal, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico experienced widespread damage including most of the electrical, gas and water grid as well as agriculture after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, passed through. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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MOROVIS, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 27:  Hector Ojeda and Sonia Robles and Tony Ojeda cross a river on foot after the bridge was washed away when Hurricane Maria passed through on September 27, 2017 in Morovis, Puerto Rico.  Puerto Rico experienced widespread, severe damage including most of the electrical, gas and water grids as well as agricultural destruction after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, passed through.  (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MOROVIS, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 27: Hector Ojeda and Sonia Robles and Tony Ojeda cross a river on foot after the bridge was washed away when Hurricane Maria passed through on September 27, 2017 in Morovis, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico experienced widespread, severe damage including most of the electrical, gas and water grids as well as agricultural destruction after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, passed through. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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LARES, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 29:  Hurricane survivors watch as Puerto Rican National Guardsmen prepare to deliver food and water from their helicopter as they deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria on September 29, 2017 in Lares, Puerto Rico.  Puerto Rico experienced widespread damage including most of the electrical, gas and water grid as well as agriculture after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, passed through.  (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
LARES, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 29: Hurricane survivors watch as Puerto Rican National Guardsmen prepare to deliver food and water from their helicopter as they deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria on September 29, 2017 in Lares, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico experienced widespread damage including most of the electrical, gas and water grid as well as agriculture after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, passed through. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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A man carries two water jugs filled with water collected from a natural spring created by the landslides in a mountain next to a road in Corozal, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 24, 2017 following the passage of Hurricane Maria.
Authorities in Puerto Rico rushed on September 23, 2017 to evacuate people living downriver from a dam said to be in danger of collapsing because of flooding from Hurricane Maria. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO        (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
A man carries two water jugs filled with water collected from a natural spring created by the landslides in a mountain next to a road in Corozal, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 24, 2017 following the passage of Hurricane Maria. Authorities in Puerto Rico rushed on September 23, 2017 to evacuate people living downriver from a dam said to be in danger of collapsing because of flooding from Hurricane Maria. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
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SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 29:  Puerto Rican National Guardsmen load a helicopter with food and water to bring to hurricane survivors as they deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria on September 29, 2017 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Puerto Rico experienced widespread damage including most of the electrical, gas and water grid as well as agriculture after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, passed through.  (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 29: Puerto Rican National Guardsmen load a helicopter with food and water to bring to hurricane survivors as they deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria on September 29, 2017 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico experienced widespread damage including most of the electrical, gas and water grid as well as agriculture after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, passed through. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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TOPSHOT - Iris Vazquez washes clothing at an open road drainage next to a road in Corozal, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 24, 2017 following the passage of Hurricane Maria. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO        (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Iris Vazquez washes clothing at an open road drainage next to a road in Corozal, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 24, 2017 following the passage of Hurricane Maria. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
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People ride on the back of a 4x4 vehicle into the San Lorenzo River after a bridge was swept away by Hurricane Maria in Morovis, Puerto Rico on September 30, 2017.
US military and emergency relief teams ramped up their aid efforts for Puerto Rico amid growing criticism of the response to the hurricanes which ripped through the Caribbean island. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO        (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
People ride on the back of a 4x4 vehicle into the San Lorenzo River after a bridge was swept away by Hurricane Maria in Morovis, Puerto Rico on September 30, 2017. US military and emergency relief teams ramped up their aid efforts for Puerto Rico amid growing criticism of the response to the hurricanes which ripped through the Caribbean island. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
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A picture taken on September 28, 2017 shows a house destroyed by Hurricane Maria in  Yabucoa, in the eastern part of storm-battered Puerto Rico.
A week after the Category Four storm stuck, the White House said US President Donald Trump had made it easier for fuel and water supplies to arrive to the ravaged island of 3.4 million US citizens. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMAL        (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture taken on September 28, 2017 shows a house destroyed by Hurricane Maria in Yabucoa, in the eastern part of storm-battered Puerto Rico. A week after the Category Four storm stuck, the White House said US President Donald Trump had made it easier for fuel and water supplies to arrive to the ravaged island of 3.4 million US citizens. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMAL (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
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