Flash Flood — Western Interior, Puerto Rico

2001-11-07 to 2001-11-09 · near Countywide, Western Interior, Puerto Rico

Wider weather episode

A cold front became stationary on November 7 through November 9 across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands producing copious rainfall across the region. High seas and this excessive rainfall caused most of the rivers flowing to the north to go out of their banks flooding nearby areas and roads. The highest rainfall amounts in a 48 hour period were: 16.56 inches in Rio Piedras sector in San Juan, 16.07 inches in Naguabo, 14.26 inches in Morovis, 14.10 inches in Barranquitas, 13.52 inches in Bayamon, 12.63 inches in Canovanas and 12.60 inches in Orocovis. Flood damages were estimated at around $92 million. Of that total, 17 million occurred in the agriculture sector. The areas most affected were the north, central and east sections of Puerto Rico where considerable damage to electrical and water systems, highways and roads, bridges, privates homes, schools, small business and commerce were reported due to flooding, landslides and mudslides. In addition, nearly 300 people were in shelters.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5272761. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.