Flash Flood — Patillas, Puerto Rico

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

Event narrative

Trained spotter/COOP volunteer reported flood waters affecting road PR-3 near km 114 in Barrio Guardarraya, Patillas. Trained spotter reported that the road was impassable.

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 → (17.9712, -65.9587)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1216885. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.