Rip Current — Northeast, Puerto Rico

2025-08-24 · Northeast, Puerto Rico

Event narrative

A man was swept away by rip currents and drowned this morning at Chatarra beach in Loiza, near PR-187 and the local kiosks. His body was recovered by a Coast Guard helicopter, taken to Isla Grande Airport, and then to the Hoare Hospital in Santurce, where he was declared dead.

Wider weather episode

A long period northerly swell from the then distant TC Erin and AL90 promoted life-threatening rip currents, rough surf conditions, and Small Craft Advisory conditions during the penultimate weekend of August. Three fatalities and multiple injuries were reported at north-oriented beaches of Puerto Rico.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1290358. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.