Hurricane Maria in pictures

Hurricane Maria recently pounded through the northeastern Caribbean, causing widespread destruction in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico and its closest neighbors. Puerto Rico was left almost entirely without electricity, and many roads were impassable, leading to fuel and water shortages.

Traveling to Puerto Rico on October 3, President Trump and first lady Melania Trump toured some of the hardest-hit areas and met with emergency personnel, storm survivors, and military and government officials who are helping Puerto Ricans to make repairs. The president thanked “these incredible people, from the military to FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency], to first responders,” for their relief efforts.

“The whole team has been amazing,” he said. The president pledged continued assistance from federal agencies and from the U.S. military. “You can be very proud of all your people, all of our people working together,” he told Puerto Rican officials.

Following are images that highlight the damage done by Hurricane Maria, and the ongoing relief work in Puerto Rico.

Taking stock

Man walking past pile of debris outside house in Puerto Rico (© Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Kened Joel Torres, 18, pulls debris out of his home and onto a growing pile on the street in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. (© Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Heavy equipment

Landing Craft Utility offloading a bulldozer onto concrete pier (U.S. Navy)
U.S. sailors offload a bulldozer on Vieques, Puerto Rico. The Department of Defense’s work in Puerto Rico is part of the overall government response to Hurricane Maria. (U.S. Navy)

A helping hand

Two people sitting across table, one wearing FEMA vest (© AP Images)
A local resident meets with a FEMA representative in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, to file forms for federal aid in the aftermath of the hurricane. (© AP Images)

After the deluge

Aerial view of damaged solar panels scattered in field in Puerto Rico (© Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images)
Debris is seen scattered in a damaged solar-panel field in Humacao, Puerto Rico. (© Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images)

Floating hospital

Naval ship arriving in port (U.S. Navy)
The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort arrives in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to provide medical care. (U.S. Navy)

On the ground

President Trump shaking hands with Ricardo Roselló as Melania Trump looks on (© Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
President Trump shakes hands with the governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rosselló, as first lady Melania Trump looks on. (© Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

ShareAmerica staff writer Lauren Monsen contributed to this photo gallery.