Flash Flood — Hatillo, Puerto Rico

2009-11-27 · near Hatillo, Hatillo, Puerto Rico

$150K

Property damage

Event narrative

Intense rainfall led to serious but localized urban flooding at Parcelas Roberto Clemente II, located between the Pajuil and Campo Alegre neighborhoods of Hatillo. Around 28 families sustained major property damage as mud laden runoff waters flooded their homes.

Wider weather episode

The combination of sea breeze convergence, intense heating, orographic lifting and upper level jet dynamics allowed for localized slow moving intense thunderstorm cells over Hatillo and Arecibo during the early evening. Localized but heavy very rainfall produced flash flooding. Doppler radar estimated rainfall amounts of 6-8 inches for the 24 hour period ending at midnight. The nearest USGS rain gauge at Rio Camuy near Bayaney recorded 3.21 inches from 1635-2100 AST.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (18.4324, -66.7934)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 203299. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.