Flood — Western Interior, Puerto Rico

2005-10-09 to 2005-10-13 · Western Interior, Puerto Rico

Wider weather episode

During the period from October 9th through October 13th 2005, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were affected by a heavy rainfall event and the associated flooding. This type of weather pattern is observed occasionally during October and results in significant rainfall and flooding across the area. This inclement weather pattern was largely due to the combination of a vigorous upper level low pressure over the Atlantic that moved southwest and was expected to affect the local area during the weekend, in combination with a surge of moisture that was to move northward from the Caribbean Sea into Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This complex weather system provided all the ingredients necessary to maintain a very unstable atmosphere across the entire area. The results were widespread heavy rainfall, flash flooding and mudslides over many sections of Puerto Rico. The Governor of Puerto Rico declared seventeen municipalities under State of Emergency. The initial declaration was for Lares and Juana Diaz, but was later expanded to include Salinas, Santa Isabel, Ponce, Yauco, Peñuelas, Utuado, Jayuya, and Toa Baja. A later update included the municipalities of Humacao, Maricao, Aibonito, Moca, Yabucoa, Villalba, and the Street number 9 of the Santa Catalina sector in Bayamon. Heavy damage was sustained by the Agricultural sectors of the island. The Puerto Rico Farm Bureau estimated losses at 20 million. Vegetables farmers lost 7 million in crops and infrastructure; coffee crops and paths 5 million; plantains, bananas, and watering systems 3 million; milk and loss of production 2 million, cattle and respective infrastructure 2 million, feed and chicken farms and citrus product losses 1.5 million. Although the main damages were flooding related, there were also damages caused by winds gusts associated with thunderstorms.Department of Transportation and Public Works estimated damages to roads in Lares due to landslides at 1.5 to 2.0 million.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5477545. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.