FEMA boss cites progress in Puerto Rico

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Destroyed communities are seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. The aftermath of the powerful storm has resulted in a near-total shutdown of the U.S. territory’s economy that could last for weeks and has many people running seriously low on cash and worrying that it will become even harder to survive on this storm-ravaged island. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

WASHINGTON (AP) The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency says a lot of good progress being made in Puerto Rico.

FEMA Administrator Brock Long flew to San Juan Monday and traveled to a hard-hit area in the island’s interior.

Long tells reporters he saw rush-hour traffic that included fuel and water trucks and workers cutting grass along roadways cleared of debris. He says many grocery stores and fast-food restaurants are open.

Long is praising the efforts of more than 13,000 federal staff in the stricken U.S. territory.

Still, 95 percent of electricity customers are without power, including some hospitals. Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite of the Army Corps of Engineers says it may take up to 10 months to restore service to some remote areas.

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