Lightning — Villalba, Puerto Rico

2025-08-30 · near Villalba, Villalba, Puerto Rico

Event narrative

The 911 Call Center reported that at approximately 3:20 PM AST, a lightning strike impacted two individuals in a boat near the fishing club by the dam at Lago Toa Vaca. One individual was reported conscious with burns to the hands but breathing. The second individual, a 48 year old male, was thrown into the water by the impact; his body was found at around 8 PM ast.

Wider weather episode

A tropical wave moving south of the islands, moisture, local effects, excessive diurnal heating, and sea breeze variations, promoted the formation of showers and thunderstorms over the islands during the last two days of the month. Flooding was reported in Yauco and Carolina, while a fatal lightning strike was reported in Toa Vaca Lake, Villalba.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (18.1071, -66.4810)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1292485. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.