Rip Current — Northeast, Puerto Rico

2024-03-27 · Northeast, Puerto Rico

Event narrative

A rescue operation began on March 28 for a 26-year-old tourist, an active duty U.S. marine, and a resident of Massachusetts who was swept away by rip currents on La Pared beach in Luquillo on March 27. The Coast Guard rescue crews suspended search efforts on April 1 in support of local emergency response agencies. He is presumed dead.

Wider weather episode

A low-pressure system located approximately 900 miles north of Puerto Rico generated significant northerly swells during the week of March 27th. These swells caused high surf and life-threatening rip currents along the Atlantic coastline of the islands.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1164924. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.