Debris Flow — Western Interior, Puerto Rico

2008-05-03 · Western Interior, Puerto Rico

Event narrative

Several landslides were reported along various roads in the municipality of Utuado, at road 621, Cerro Gordo Sector; road 123, Sector 315 Rio Abajo Antigua 10; road 111; road 523 Barrio Arenas; road 610 Barrio Don Alonso; road 603, Barrio Guainico, Blanca Nieves sector.

Wider weather episode

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.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 110816. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.