Hurricane in Puerto Rico, September 21 to 22, 1998

Hurricane Georges began affecting Puerto Rico about 1200 noon with wind gusts to tropical storm force. By 600 pm most of the east sectors of Puerto Rico were experienced hurricane force winds. Landfall occurred at around 700 pm in the vicinity of Yabucoa-Humacao and continued to move west crossing the island from east to west. By 100 am on September 22, Georges exited the island on the southwest coast and entered the Mona Passage. Observed maximum winds from official observation sites were 79 mph sustained wind and 93 mph peak gust at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport and 90 mph sustained wind and 107 mph peak gust at the U.S. Naval Station Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba. Maximum rainfall in two-day storm total were about 24 inches in Villalba and Adjuntas. Damage to Puerto Rico was enormous. Electricity was lost to 96% of the island customers, while water and sewer service was lost to 75 % of the island customers. It was estimated that at least 50% of the electrical poles and cable were damaged and many roads were impassable due to floods or debris. In the agricultural sectors 75% of its coffee crop, 95% of the plantain and banana crops, and 65% of live poultry were lost. In addition 28,005 houses mainly those constructed of wool with metal roofs were totally destroyed and 72,605 were partially destroyed. All of the islands 401 shelters were opened during the storm and housed 29,107 people.