Rip Current — San Juan and Vicinity, Puerto Rico

2024-03-10 · San Juan and Vicinity, Puerto Rico

Event narrative

Two males were swept away by rip currents near Ventana del Mar, behind La Concha Hotel in Condado. According to initial reports, a local resident tried to rescue a tourist who had been pulled away by the currents. They both drowned. The first victim was identified as a 20-year-old male from Washington visiting the island for Spring Break. The second victim was a staff sergeant in the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, his body was recovered three miles from the beach two days later on March 12.

Wider weather episode

Seas were slowly building across the Atlantic waters on Sunday, March 10th, from swells generated by a distant surface low. Although this would lead to a high risk of rip currents on Monday, a moderate risk prevailed through Sunday.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1164919. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.