NPR

Slowly, Painfully, A San Juan Neighborhood Sees Small Signs Of Improvement

Like in many other parts of Puerto Rico, cell service is slowly returning and waters are receding in Playita after Maria's devastation. But for the residents there, the progress is painfully slow.
Pedro Galindez Casillas looks at a destroyed house in the Playita neighborhood. Just five percent of the island has working electricity from the hurricane-devastated grid.

Over a San Juan freeway overpass, near the low-income Playita community, there's a sign that reads, "SOS Playita Needs Water and Food."

It was a cry for help put up by residents who say they waited more than a week after the storm without receiving any outside aid.

There was a feeling, says 21-year-old Edison Rodriguez, that his community was "running out of time.

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