Rip Current — Northeast, Puerto Rico

2024-12-25 · Northeast, Puerto Rico

Event narrative

A 90-year-old resident in Luquillo and a visitor from Utah, USA, was found dead, likely due to drowning, approximately 30 miles offshore from Costa Azul in Luquillo. The incident occurred around 5 PM AST on Christmas Day, and Emergency Managers initiated the search and rescue mission with the US Coast Guard after he was reported missing at 9:30 PM. According to reports from Luquillo's Emergency Management director and the US Coast Guard, it is believed that he died after being caught in a rip current that dragged him out to sea.

Wider weather episode

On Christmas Day, a high risk of rip currents was in effect for northern Puerto Rico until 6 PM AST (becoming moderate after) due to increased winds and breaking waves around 6 feet. Unfortunately, under these hazardous coastal conditions a rip current related fatality was reported in Luquillo.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1221989. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.