Flash Flood · Puerto Rico

An automobile and its two occupants were swept by a swollen small stream, as they tried to make a low water crossing along road 451, at Sector Abrahondo, in the municipality of San Sebastian. One occupant was able to escape unharmed from the flood waters, but the other one drowned.

A nearly stationary front, tropical moisture and interacting jet energy produced pockets of locally heavy rains which led to significant within bank rises on may rivers with some minor flooding reported along the local rivers. A couple of rivers responded quickly and went out of their banks. Since this was at the beginning of the month, river levels were running relatively high and the soils in the upper levels were moist in many areas. The Rio Grande de Arecibo, Rio Limon, Rio Cibuco, Rio Guajataca and Rio Culebrinas all exceeded flood stage in response to this rainfall event. Maximum rainfall amounts in the area stretching from the West Central to North and Western Puerto Rico, for the 24 hour period ending at 7 am on May 3rd, 2008 ranged from 3.5 to 4.5 inches. Flash Flooding and mudslides were reported in numerous areas around the island including Lares and Utuado. Two flash flood fatalities were reported in the Western Interior due to low water crossing in automobiles.