Hurricane in Puerto Rico, September 7, 1997

Hurricane Erika ws the only named tropical cyclone to be tracked in September. It formed in the central Atlantic on the 3rd, strengthened to a hurricane on the 5th, and passed just northeast of the U.S.V.I. and P.R. on the 6th and 7th as it continued to strengthen. Erika's strongest winds missed P.R. but the extreme outer rainbands caused gusty winds and some rains across P.R. A hurricane watch was issued for Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra at 11 am ast on the 5th which remained in effect until 5 pm ast on the 7th. Maximum sustained winds of 23 mph from the west were recorded at the Luis Munoz Marin Airport on the 7th. A peak gust of 42 mph was recorded on the afternoon of the 6th. Rainfall across P.R varied from 0.29 inches at Carolina to 0.77 inches at Caguas. Northeast swells of ten to twelve feet produced some coastal flooding and beach erosion along the north coast. Eight families were evacuated from their homes in the municipality of Dorado's Costa de Oro Urbanization. On Sunday road 187 in Pinones Loiza was closed after sections of the road were flooded or washed by the sea. Wind gusts associated to the outer spiral bands snapped tree branches disrupting electrical service in sectors of San Juan, Guaynabo and Bayamon. Power failures affected ten to twelve thousand residents.