President Trump received ample criticism when he compared Hurricane Maria to Katrina, saying only 16 people died in Puerto Rico instead of the “thousands” killed in the 2005 storm.
“Sixteen versus in the thousands,” the President said in his first visit to Puerto Rico after Maria hit the island. “You can be very proud of all of your people, all of our people working together. Sixteen versus literally thousands of people.”
Despite having different death tolls, both hurricanes share stark similarities on the destruction the storms have caused for Puerto Rico and the Gulf Coast.
Here’s a look at the parallels between both storms.
Destruction
Hurricane Katrina was a Category 3 storm when it hit the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, 2005. The hurricane caused damages in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama and displaced thousands of residents due to massive floodwaters. The hurricane claimed more than 1,800 lives and it took New Orleans about 10 years to recover from the devastation.
Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico as Category 4 storm in mid-September and left the island entirely without power. Maria tore through San Juan, Toa Baja and other regions with high-powered winds and heavy rainfall. Officials have said it could take months for the power to be restored on the island.
Criticism
San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz criticized the slow federal aid response than that of Texas and Florida, prompting President Trump to lash out at her saying Puerto Rico wants “everything to be done for them.”
The federal response under former President George W. Bush was also blasted by black Congress members and the NAACP as being slow because the hurricane affected poor communities.
Needs
In both hurricanes, the need for food, shelter, and water was evident. Puerto Rico was short on fuel, and medical supplies and other material were stuck at the port of San Juan until the Jones Act was lifted to allow ships to deliver goods to the island. Shelters, hospitals, and essential supplies were also necessities in the aftermath of Katrina.
Cost
Maria could cost Puerto Rico a staggering $45 billion to $95 billion, according to CNN Money. Katrina cost more than $100 billion in damages.
