then on the small island of puerto rico and in neighbouring sites on the storm path there was widescale destruction of homes and business premises extensive flooding from heavy rain and sea surges up to three metres above ground mudslides severe damage to roads and fallen trees inhibiting transport severe damage to harbours and marinas and crops destroyed around per cent of poles carrying utility services were blown down with power and communications blackout fatally affecting people dependent on medical care and other vital services for survival water supplies were cut for long periods in many places the subsequent slow reestablishment of basic services still left thousands of homes and businesses without power affecting million people nine months after the initial impact