Alert archive / Puerto Rico / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 18, NWS JSJ

April 16, 2026

NWS JSJ issued this flash flood warning at Apr 16, 2026, 12:58 PM CDT. It was in force for 4 hr. 4 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Apr 16, 2026, 12:58 PM CDT (17:58 UTC)
Expired
Apr 16, 2026, 5:17 PM CDT
In force
4 hr
Issued by
NWS JSJ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

The radar

The San Juan radar (TJUA), 17 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:57 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Apr 16, 12:58 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Ene Boqueron, PREmergency managers reported PR-936 was impassable due to a water surge in Quebrada Honda. A person inside a car was swept away by the water surge over the bridge. The person was recued by local emergency managers. However, the road remains closed until further
Apr 16, 2:00 PM CDTFLASH FLOODPueblito Del Rio, PRAt least 16 families were affected by flooding. One family reportedly had around 3 feet of water inside the home, causing major losses of belongings, including beds, furniture, clothing, and toys. Rainfall totals of 5 to 6 inches, with locally higher amounts,
Apr 16, 2:30 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Nne Las Piedras, PREmergency managers reported PR-936 Km 1.1 in Barrio Quebrada Arenas in Las Piedras. The road remains closed until further notice. Based on radar estimates, maximum accumulations are fluctuating between 4 to 6 inches of rainfall.
Apr 16, 2:56 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Ene Juncos, PREmergency managers reported flooding along PR-31 in Juncos, near Pizzeria Grand Cheese Pizza. The road is impassable and it is currently closed.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 4 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 0 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The text

As transmitted.

236 
WGCA52 TJSJ 161758
FFWSJU
PRC077-085-129-162100-
/O.NEW.TJSJ.FF.W.0018.260416T1758Z-260416T2100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service San Juan PR
158 PM AST Thu Apr 16 2026

The National Weather Service in San Juan has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Juncos County in Puerto Rico...
  Las Piedras County in Puerto Rico...
  San Lorenzo County in Puerto Rico...

* Until 500 PM AST.

* At 158 PM AST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and, locally, 6 
  inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 
  2.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is 
  ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  San Lorenzo, Juncos, Las Piedras, La Fermina, Jagual, El Mango and 
  Pueblito Del Rio.

PR-936 in Las Piedras was closed due to flooding.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law 
enforcement and request they pass this information to the National 
Weather Service when you can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 1809 6594 1809 6598 1808 6601 1810 6602
      1811 6605 1813 6603 1821 6600 1823 6598
      1823 6594 1825 6595 1827 6593 1825 6587
      1826 6585 1827 6584 1826 6582 1821 6583
      1819 6583 1817 6586 1812 6588 1812 6593

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

MRR/GRS/CAM/YZR
3 follow-up statements
471 
WGCA72 TJSJ 161939
FFSSJU

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service San Juan PR
339 PM AST Thu Apr 16 2026

PRC077-085-129-162100-
/O.CON.TJSJ.FF.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260416T2100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Juncos PR-Las Piedras PR-San Lorenzo PR-
339 PM AST Thu Apr 16 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM AST THIS 
AFTERNOON FOR JUNCOS, LAS PIEDRAS AND SAN LORENZO COUNTIES...

At 339 PM AST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy 
rain across the warned area. Between 3 and 7 inches of rain have 
fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2.5 inches are possible 
in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin 
shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
         flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
         urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  San Lorenzo, Juncos, Las Piedras, La Fermina, Jagual, El Mango and 
  Pueblito Del Rio.

PR-936 in Las Piedras was closed due to flooding. Flooding was 
reported along several areas of PR-936 including low water crossings 
(Quebrada HOnda) and near Urb. Villa Las Piedras

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law 
enforcement and request they pass this information to the National 
Weather Service when you can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 1809 6594 1809 6598 1808 6601 1810 6602
      1811 6605 1813 6603 1821 6600 1823 6598
      1823 6594 1825 6595 1827 6593 1825 6587
      1826 6585 1827 6584 1826 6582 1821 6583
      1819 6583 1817 6586 1812 6588 1812 6593

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

MRR/CAM/GRS/YZR
298 
WGCA52 TJSJ 162053
FFWSJU
PRC077-085-129-162230-
/O.EXT.TJSJ.FF.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260416T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service San Juan PR
453 PM AST Thu Apr 16 2026

The National Weather Service in San Juan has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Juncos County in Puerto Rico...
  Las Piedras County in Puerto Rico...
  San Lorenzo County in Puerto Rico...

* Until 630 PM AST.

* At 453 PM AST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 3 and 8 inches of rain 
  have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are 
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
           producing flash flooding.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
           urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  San Lorenzo, Juncos, Las Piedras, La Fermina, Jagual, El Mango and 
  Pueblito Del Rio.

PR-936 in Las Piedras was closed due to flooding. Flooding was 
reported along several areas of PR-936 including low water crossings 
(Quebrada HOnda) and near Urb. Villa Las Piedras

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law 
enforcement and request they pass this information to the National 
Weather Service when you can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 1809 6594 1809 6598 1808 6601 1810 6602
      1811 6605 1813 6603 1821 6600 1823 6598
      1823 6594 1825 6595 1827 6593 1825 6587
      1826 6585 1827 6584 1826 6582 1821 6583
      1819 6583 1817 6586 1812 6588 1812 6593

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

MRR/GRS
919 
WGCA72 TJSJ 162217
FFSSJU

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service San Juan PR
617 PM AST Thu Apr 16 2026

PRC077-085-129-162227-
/O.CAN.TJSJ.FF.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260416T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Juncos PR-Las Piedras PR-San Lorenzo PR-
617 PM AST Thu Apr 16 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR JUNCOS, LAS PIEDRAS AND SAN LORENZO HAS 
BEEN REPLACED WITH A FLOOD WARNING...

&&

LAT...LON 1809 6594 1809 6598 1808 6601 1810 6602
      1811 6605 1813 6603 1821 6600 1823 6598
      1823 6594 1825 6595 1827 6593 1825 6587
      1826 6585 1827 6584 1826 6582 1821 6583
      1819 6583 1817 6586 1812 6588 1812 6593

$$

MRR

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS JSJ wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Apr 16, 2:00 AM CDT, 10 hours 58 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 250 AM AST Thu Apr 16 2026 * A variable to unsettled weather conditions will continue through Friday, promoting periods of showers and isolated thunderstorms, particularly during the afternoon hours, with a localized flooding risk. * A moderate risk of rip currents will persist across several beaches, especially along northern and eastern exposures, and beachgoers should exercise caution. * Conditions are expected to improve by Saturday as drier air and more stable weather return, leading to a more typical seasonal pattern with limited shower activity. * Overnight showers will remain possible across the U.S. Virgin Islands due to passing trade wind moisture.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 16, 2:00 AM CDT, 10 hours 58 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Juan PR
300 AM AST Thu Apr 16 2026

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, AVIATION, MARINE, BEACH FORECAST...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 250 AM AST Thu Apr 16 2026

 * A variable to unsettled weather conditions will continue
  through Friday, promoting periods of showers and isolated
  thunderstorms, particularly during the afternoon hours, with a
  localized flooding risk.

 * A moderate risk of rip currents will persist across several
   beaches, especially along northern and eastern exposures, and
   beachgoers should exercise caution.

 * Conditions are expected to improve by Saturday as drier air
   and more stable weather return, leading to a more typical
   seasonal pattern with limited shower activity.

 * Overnight showers will remain possible across the U.S. Virgin
   Islands due to passing trade wind moisture.

&&

.Short Term(Today through Saturday)...
Issued at 250 AM AST Thu Apr 16 2026

A variable weather pattern prevailed during the night into the
early morning hours. Over the local waters, periods of showers
with strong thunderstorms affected the Caribbean and Atlantic
waters. Therefore, several marine weather statements and a Special
Marine Warning were issued during the night. Over land areas, some
showers developed across the southern coastal sections of Puerto
Rico, leaving between 1 and 1.5 inches of rainfall across
municipalities around Arroyo and Patillas. Around 2 AM, showers
diminished in that area and developed over the El Yunque region,
leaving around one inch of rainfall as well. Overnight
temperatures, as of 3 AM, were in the mid to upper 70s across
coastal areas and cooler across the mountains. Winds remained
light and from the southeast.

Today, the cut-off low clearly visible in satellite imagery will remain
northeast of the forecast area, while a deepening upper-level
trough persists, keeping the region under its divergent side to
the southeast. This setup, combined with a weak mid-level ridge,
will support cooler temperatures at 500 mb and promote some
instability across the area. From 0 to 3 km, winds will remain
similar to those observed yesterday, with a southeasterly
component at the surface (1000–850 mb) and a more southerly flow
at 700 mb, steering shower activity once again toward the
northwestern and northern sections of Puerto Rico. Therefore,
although widespread rainfall is not expected across the entire
island, afternoon convection will support periods of locally
strong showers with isolated thunderstorms, and gusty winds,
which may lead to urban and low-lying flooding where the heaviest
activity occurs. Temperatures will slightly increase during the
day due to the wind pattern and periods of reduced cloud cover,
with heat indices reaching around 100°F, especially across north-
central sections.

On Friday, as the upper-level trough amplifies further across the western
Atlantic, the forecast area will remain under its divergent side
to the southeast, allowing similar conditions to persist with
cooler temperatures at 500 mb and sufficiently favorable relative
humidity values between 850–500 mb to support shower development.
Model guidance suggests an increase in precipitable water, with
values ranging between 1.75 and 2.0 inches (around the 75th
percentile). Additionally, the Gálvez-Davison Index (GDI)
indicates the potential for isolated to scattered showers,
especially during the afternoon hours, along with a slight chance
of isolated thunderstorms over the surrounding waters. At the
surface, conditions will gradually shift as winds become more
easterly, with the induced surface trough moving farther west away
from the CWA and a surface high pressure system over the central
Atlantic dominating the local flow. Given these conditions, Friday
is expected to remain on the typical seasonal pattern, with
relatively quiet morning hours followed by a more active afternoon
characterized by showers across the Cordillera Central and the
western interior. As a result, an elevated flooding risk will
persist in these areas, as rainfall accumulations could enhance
the potential for urban and low-lying flooding.

Conditions will improve by Saturday, with the driest and most
stable day of the period. At the surface, precipitable water
values will decrease from around the 75th percentile to near the
50th percentile, remaining within a more typical seasonal pattern.
Additionally, at upper levels, the influence of the trough will
shift farther east, resulting in more stable and warmer conditions
at 500 mb. These factors will support mostly limited shower
activity during the morning hours, followed by localized afternoon
showers across the western sections of the islands. For the San
Juan metro area, afternoon conditions indicate around a 40% chance
of rain, which should still be generally suitable for the
Hurricane Hunter visit at Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport
in San Juan from 9 AM to 3 PM AST.

&&

.Long Term(Sunday through Thursday)...
Issued at 250 AM AST Thu Apr 16 2026

The latest model guidance continues to suggest an influx of
relatively drier air as a surface high pressure system dominates the
central Atlantic and a mid-level ridge establishes west of the
region. During the first half of the period, precipitable water
(PWAT) values will drop to seasonal normals of 1.25 to 1.50 inches.
Under the influence of the surface high, light to moderate easterly
winds will prevail through mid-week, shifting from the southeast
late Wednesday as another building high pressure located over the
western Atlantic begins to migrate toward the central Atlantic.

Overall weather conditions are expected to remain seasonal. Passing
showers are likely over the windward portions of Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands, followed by afternoon convective activity
across the central mountain range and western Puerto Rico, driven by
daytime heating and local effects. Due to this anticipated activity,
showers and isolated thunderstorms will likely persist from the
early afternoon into the evening.

Because of previous rainfall, soil saturation, and elevated river
levels, the potential for flooding remains an active concern.
Additionally, temperatures at the 500 mb level are projected to drop
to -8°C, increasing instability aloft and enhancing the potential
for afternoon thunderstorms. Surface temperatures are expected to
trend within seasonal values throughout the forecast period.
&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 250 AM AST Thu Apr 16 2026

VFR conditions will prevail across all TAF sites during the
period, with brief MVFR conditions possible at TJBQ from 16/18Z to
16/22Z. Winds will remain from the southeast at around 5 knots,
increasing after 16/15Z to near 15 knots across the area, with sea
breeze variations. Afternoon showers and isolated thunderstorms
will lower ceilings and reduce visibility, particularly across the
Cordillera Central and northern sections due to SHRA and TS
activity. Winds will decrease again after 17/00Z, becoming more
easterly at less that 10 knots.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 250 AM AST Thu Apr 16 2026

A surface high pressure system over the eastern to central Atlantic,
interacting with surface trough north of the region, will promote
east-southeast light to moderate winds. A subsiding northerly swell
will continue to spread across the Atlantic waters, maintaining seas
from 5 to 6 feet across exposed areas, small craft should exercise
caution. Showers and thunderstorms associated to the trough will
continue across the local waters, creating locally hazardous marine
conditions through the weekend. Model guidance suggests another
long- period northerly swell that may arrive and spread across
local waters and passages by next week, resulting in choppy to
rough seas and becoming hazardous for small craft.

&&

.BEACH FORECAST...
Issued at 250 AM AST Thu Apr 16 2026

No changes were introduced to the beach forecast. Beach
conditions have been improving as the northerly swell continues to
diminish across the local waters and passages. Nevertheless,
straitening winds will result in breaking waves between 4 and 5
feet across northern beaches of Puerto Rico, including Vieques and
Culebra, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hence, a moderate risk will
continue for the next several days across the aforementioned
areas. Although there's no high risk, beachgoers should exercise
caution, as life- threatening rip currents remain possible along
beaches under moderate risk. A low risk risk will remain
elsewhere. Another long- period northerly swell may arrive and
spread across local waters and passages by next week.

Besides rip currents, beachgoers should remain weather alert as
showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected each day in the
afternoons, particularly over western and northern beaches of Puerto
Rico, and hazards may include gusty winds and lightning. For more
specific area details, refer to weather.gov/beach/sju.

&&

.SJU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PR...None.
VI...None.
AM...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...LIS
LONG TERM....GRS
AVIATION...LIS

The office that day

Everything else NWS JSJ issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 15, 10:55 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningJSJ2 hr
Apr 16, 3:06 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningJSJ54 min
Apr 16, 5:06 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningJSJ54 min
Apr 16, 7:49 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryJSJ3 hr
Apr 16, 11:06 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningJSJ6 hr
Apr 16, 11:47 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryJSJ118 min
Apr 16, 12:35 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryJSJ4 hr
Apr 16, 1:49 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryJSJ86 min
Apr 16, 2:01 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJSJ59 min
Apr 16, 3:49 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryJSJ116 min
Apr 16, 4:04 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryJSJ116 min
Apr 16, 4:54 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningJSJ5 hr
Apr 16, 5:17 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningJSJ4 hr
Apr 16, 5:25 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryJSJ2 hr
Apr 16, 5:37 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJSJ83 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Puerto Rico, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.