Flash Flood · Puerto Rico

Public reported Rio Guayanilla out of its banks, entering downtown area.

Showers and thunderstorms associated with the outer bands of Hurricane Sandy were strong enough to produce moderate to major flooding across the Guayanilla and Caguas area between October 25th and October 27th. Moderate and major flash flooding was reported as high intensity rainfall butted up against the Cordillera Central Mountains of Puerto Rico.

Specifically, moderate flooding was reported on the Rio de La Plata, Rio Grande de Manati, and Rio Caonillas. Major flooding was experienced in southwestern Puerto Rico especially in communities along the Rio Guayanilla and Rio Yauco where approximately 110 families had to be evacuated from their homes because of rising water. While these communities experienced devastating impacts, significant rises and flooding was also reported in many other municipalities around Puerto Rico including the municipalities along the Rio Grande de Anasco, Rio Grande de Arecibo, the upper Rio Grande de Loiza and Rio Espiritu Santo and Rio Fajardo in the northeast.