President Trump on Thursday "declared that a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico" following a string of earthquakes that have damaged much of the island and left at least one person dead.
Puerto Rican officials and several other lawmakers had asked the Trump administration for the designation, which is a level above an "emergency" declaration and will authorize further funding and recovery resources. Thursday's action makes federal funding available to six municipalities in Puerto Rico, including grants for temporary housing and repairs, loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other recovery programs for individuals and businesses
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