Flash Flood — Fajardo, Puerto Rico

2024-10-31 · near Fajardo, Fajardo, Puerto Rico

$1K

Property damage

Event narrative

Emergency managers reported that PR-194 (including Km 0.6) has starting to flood. USGS sensor in Rio Blanco reported flood stage levels surpassing 9.42 ft at that time.

Wider weather episode

A series of cold fronts and a polar trough increased moisture and instability across the region for the last three days of October. Moisture levels went well above the climatological value, leading to a significant increase in showers and thunderstorms. Showers were very numerous, with rainfall accumulations surpassing 8 inches in sectors of northeastern and southeastern Puerto Rico. Soils were saturated, and rivers were running very high, triggering the issuance of a Flood Watch. With the excessive rainfall, multiple flash flooding events and mudslides unfolded.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (18.3400, -65.6600)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1216863. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.