Flash Flood — Eastern Interior, Puerto Rico

2003-04-18 · near Countywide, Eastern Interior, Puerto Rico

Wider weather episode

Showers and thunderstorms continued to affect the island of Puerto Rico for the second day in a row. Flooding was reported mainly along the southern, central, eastern and western regions. Around 55,000 people were without water, and 16,0000 without power. Stretches of 10 roads were closed off to traffic in Ponce, Humacao, Mayaguez, Fajardo, Ceiba, Luquillo, Sabana Grande, Yauco and Las Piedras due to flooding and mudslides. In the southern city of Ponce, stretches of Highway 2 and Las Americas were closed off to traffic due to flooding. Severe flooding was reported along route 385 in Peñuelas, at the main town entrance. The Vista Alegre neighborhood was reported under several feet of water. In the western region, several residential areas were reported under water, with mudslides and flooding affecting several roads. Roads in stretches of La Parguera, barrio Maguayo and barrio Olivares in Lajas, suffered landslides and severe flooding. In Cabo Rojo, route 3301 in El Combate sector was also under water, while debris and fallen utility posts clogged route 308 in the Puerto Real community and route 301 in El Caño ward. In Mayaguez, flooding led to debris accumulation along a stretch of route 102 in the Guanajibo community. A state of emergency was declared by the Commonwealth government for the municipalities Fajardo, Rio Grande, Naguabo, Las Piedras, Juncos, Humacao, and Luquillo, the seven worst affected municipalities. Other severely impacted municipalities were Maunabo, San Lorenzo, Canovanas, Loiza and Arecibo. Most of damages in the western region were related to agriculture. Regional power and water supply systems suffered serious damages, as well as highways, bridges, schools and homes due to flooding and landslides. The highest 48 hour rainfall accumulations ending at 0800 AST April 18th were recorded at Naguabo with 17.33 inches, followed by Gurabo, 15.17 inches; Las Piedras, 14.42 inches; Luquillo, 13.84 inches; Rio Grande, 10.31 inches; and Ponce, 7.10 inches. The most intense rainfall occurred in the upper part of Naguabo where the rainfall values equaled the 50 and 25 year 24 hour rainfall rates. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Office of Management and Budget estimated total damages at $24,323,370 for this flood event.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5349304. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.