Hurricane and Flash Flooding in Puerto Rico, September 20 to 22, 2017

Name: Hurricane and Flash Flooding in Puerto Rico, September 20 to 22, 2017
Start: 2017-09-20T00:00
End: 2017-09-22T08:00
Location: Puerto Rico

September 20 to 22, 2017 · NWS SJU · 52 events in 43 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 20
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $18 billion
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 52

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS SJU wrote it up.

Hurricane Maria was a catastrophic category 4 hurricane which devastated the island of Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. Maximum sustained winds of 175 mph as it was approaching the county warning area. The direction was towards the west northwest with the eye clipping Saint Croix and Vieques. The hurricane then made landfall in the municipality of Yabucoa in mainland PR at 6:15 am AST with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. The center of the storm traversed diagonally through mainland Puerto Rico exiting across the northwest municipalities in the early afternoon hours. Extreme winds were observed across most of mainland Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Saint Croix with catastrophic flooding observed across many areas in mainland Puerto Rico.

During a preliminary survey of areas along the path of Hurricane Maria’s center, it was evident that catastrophic damage had occurred. Maria’s strong winds spread large amounts of debris across the entire area. All full trees were defoliated, and those that were not, were snapped or uprooted by Maria’s strong winds and lost medium to large branches. During the interview process, stories and images were particularly similar. Numerous locals reported that they felt the ground and their houses shaking, while most were amazed by the force of the unprecedented strong winds that not only transformed their surroundings but also their lives. Although most structures across the island are built using concrete as the main material, countless homes and buildings sustained some type of structural damage. If not blown off, non-concrete roofs suffered some type of damage. Nearly all commercial signs, fences, and canopies were destroyed, including large digital high definition boards. The last time that Puerto Rico experienced a category 4 or stronger hurricane was back on 1928 with Hurricane San Felipe II. Maria was the strongest hurricane to make landfall in mainland Puerto Rico since Hurricane Felipe II in 1928, a category 5 storm. |The NOAA estimate of damage in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to Maria is 90 billion dollars.

Death toll from hurricane Maria at the moment of this report is highly uncertain. The official number stands at 65 deaths. 20 of these deaths occurred during the hurricane. The other 45 deaths occurred in the aftermath of the hurricane. From these 45 deaths, there were four (4) people which died due to heart attack, three (3) due to lack of respiratory aid and three more (3) people due to lack of medical supplies. In addition two (2) deaths were due to suicides. One person (1) died when a tree fell over his car while driving. As of late November 2017, there were three (3) confirmed deaths from leptospirosis. One person (1) died during hurricane preparations. One women (1) died when she fell from her wheel chair. Her house was flooded, and she drowned.|The reasons of the remainder of the deaths are unknown at the moment of this publication.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS San Juan, PR wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 19, 2:58 PM AST, 9 hours 2 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 19, 2:58 PM AST, 9 hours 2 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Juan PR
258 PM AST Tue Sep 19 2017

.SYNOPSIS...Hurricane Maria will pass through the U.S. Virgin
Islands Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday, and through Puerto
Rico Tuesday night through Wednesday night as a major hurricane with
catastrophic winds and rains. Rains will diminish somewhat on
Thursday, but the main band of Hurricane Maria will pass through
Thursday night and Friday. Over the weekend south winds will
sustain the flow of very moist air over the area with showers and
thunderstorms and flooding likely.

&&

.SHORT TERM...Tonight through Friday
The radiosonde released at San Juan showed typical values for a
pre-hurricane environment: increasing moisture, modest instability
and winds that reflect an increasingly strong low level flow
around the cyclone, in this case, northeast at 25 to 35 kt up
through 12 Kft. Hurricane Maria just passed north of buoy 42060,
110 miles southeast of Saint Croix. Since Maria continues at
300/08 knots or west northwest at 10 mph, it is on track and on
time for impacting Saint Croix, Vieques and Puerto Rico. Please
see the Hurricane Local Statement for the details on timing and
intensity. Winds and rains will attenuate on Thursday, but the
main band of still major hurricane Maria is expected to pass over
the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday night and
Friday, when copious rains will continue. Please see the Flash
Flood Watch issued by this office for details and impacts--some
quite severe--from the heavy rains to follow Maria.

.LONG TERM...Saturday through Tuesday
The tail of Maria will continue to pull up abundant tropical
moisture out of the southeast although the moisture in the lowest
layer will be somewhat weaker. A weak trough will add another
burst of moisture. Heavy rains however should begin to diminish
Friday through Monday and urban and small stream flooding should
be confined to daytime and early evening hours and be fairly
localized. On Monday night drier air at mid levels, and patches of
dry air will finally enter Puerto Rico, but strong heating
promises strong convection over the central interior and
northwestern quadrants of Puerto Rico. This too could lead to
localized urban and small stream flooding.

&&

.AVIATION...Outer rain bands began affecting the USVI and Puerto
Rico proper early this morning, and the core of the storm is now
beginning to approach the USVI. Mountain obscurations have begun.
Tropical storm wind gusts may affect TIST/TISX in early rainbands,
and in JSJ by 19/22Z tonight, and as far west as JBQ and JMZ by
10z-12z. Brief MVFR will accompany rain bands. Sustained Tropical
Storm force winds will arrive at the USVI by 20/00z, at JSJ around
06z, and finally to western PR around 20/12z. Sustained Hurricane
Force winds will arrive approximately 6 hours after those times
listed above. Expect IFR and conditions after hurricane condtions
have begun, but check with authorities for airport closures.

&&

.MARINE...As mentioned above, Hurricane Maria just passed north
of buoy 42060, 110 miles southeast of Saint Croix. Since Maria
continues at 300/08 knots or west northwest at 10 mph, it is on
track and on time for impacting the waters around Saint Croix,
Vieques and Puerto Rico. Wave heights there peaked at 31 feet and
sustained winds peaked at 64 knots, due to its distance from the
southwestern eyewall. This continues to be a very dangerous storm.
Latest advisories from the Hurricane Hunter aircraft reported
maximum sustained winds of 165 mph. The eyewall of hurricane
Maria is expected to enter the southeast corner of the forecast
area late this afternoon and exit the northwest corner Thursday
afternoon with sustained winds in excess of 140 knots. Seas of 20
to 30 feet with occasional seas over 40 feet expected with the
passage. There would be no chance of successful passage through
this storm.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...Main stem rivers are expected to rise beginning
tonight and peak perhaps on Thursday. A Flash Flood Watch is in
effect until 6 PM AST Friday and many rivers could reach major or
record flood stages. Except for localized heavy rains, most
mainstem rivers should be falling on Friday and return to normal
by Sunday or Monday-- again with the exception of local persistent
thunderstorms.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SJU  78  82  78  85 / 100 100 100 100
STT  77  82  79  82 / 100 100 100  90

&&

.SJU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PR...Hurricane Warning for Central Interior-Culebra-Eastern Interior-
     Mayaguez and Vicinity-North Central-Northeast-Northwest-
     Ponce and Vicinity-San Juan and Vicinity-Southeast-
     Southwest-Vieques-Western Interior.

     Flash Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for Central Interior-
     Culebra-Eastern Interior-Mayaguez and Vicinity-North
     Central-Northeast-Northwest-Ponce and Vicinity-San Juan and
     Vicinity-Southeast-Southwest-Vieques-Western Interior.

VI...Hurricane Warning for St Croix-St.Thomas...St. John...and
     Adjacent Islands.

     Flash Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for St Croix-
     St.Thomas...St. John...and Adjacent Islands.

AM...Hurricane Warning for Anegada Passage Southward to 17N-Atlantic
     Waters of Puerto Rico and USVI from 10 NM to 19.5N-
     Caribbean Waters of Puerto Rico from 10 NM to 17N-Coastal
     Waters OF Northwestern Puerto Rico out 10 NM-Coastal Waters
     OF Southwestern Puerto Rico out 10 NM-Coastal Waters of
     Northern Puerto Rico out 10 NM-Coastal Waters of Northern
     USVI and Culebra out 10 NM-Coastal Waters of Southern
     Puerto Rico out 10 NM-Coastal Waters of Southern USVI
     Vieques and Eastern Puerto Rico out 10 NM-Mona Passage
     Southward to 17N.

     Flash Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for Coastal Waters OF
     Southwestern Puerto Rico out 10 NM-Coastal Waters of
     Northern USVI and Culebra out 10 NM-Coastal Waters of
     Southern Puerto Rico out 10 NM-Coastal Waters of Southern
     USVI Vieques and Eastern Puerto Rico out 10 NM.

&&

SHORT TERM...JA/JF
LONG TERM....WS
AVIATION...CD

Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 19, 6:19 AM AST, 17 hours 41 minutes before

Perspectivas sobre condiciones peligrosas del tiempo
Servicio Nacional de Meteorologia San Juan PR
555 AM AST martes 19 de septiembre de 2017

AMZ710>745-PRZ001>013-191100-
San Juan y Vecindad-Noreste-Sureste-Este Interior-Norte Central-
Interior Central-Ponce y Vecindad-Noroeste-Oeste Interior-
Mayaguez y Vecindad-Suroeste-Culebra-Vieques-
Aguas cercanas y lejanas a la costa del Atlantico y Caribe-
555 AM AST martes 19 de septiembre de 2017

Esta perspectiva sobre las condiciones peligrosas del tiempo es
para Puerto Rico y las aguas costeras adyacentes del Atlantico.

...Un Aviso de Huracan esta en efecto...

Un Aviso de Huracan significa que condiciones de huracan es esperan
en algun sector dentro del area bajo aviso. Preparaciones para
protejer vida y propiedad deberan ser completados lo mas pronto
posible.

AMZ715-725-VIZ001-002-191100-
San Tomas, San John e Islas Adyacentes-
Santa Cruz-Aguas cercanas del Atlantico y aguas costeras adyacentes
del Caribe-
555 AM AST martes 19 de septiembre de 2017

Esta perspectiva sobre las condiciones del tiempo peligrosas es
para Puerto Rico y las aguas costeras adyacentes del Atlantico.

...Un Aviso de Huracan esta en efecto...

Un Aviso de Huracan significa que condiciones de huracan es esperan
en algun sector dentro del area bajo aviso. Preparaciones para
protejer vida y propiedad deberan ser completados lo mas pronto
posible.

The radar

The San Juan radar (TJUA), 62 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 03:58 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

41 flash flood, 11 hurricane (typhoon). Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Ponce

When: September 20, 12:00 AM AST
Where: Ponce County, 7.65 mi NNW of Ponce to 8.66 mi SW of Ponce
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.153, -66.662

River out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Fajardo

When: September 20, 1:24 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Fajardo County, 2.93 mi NNW of Fajardo to 3.02 mi NNE of Fajardo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.360, -65.665

Rio Fajardo went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Guayama

When: September 20, 3:00 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Guayama County, 8.54 mi NNE of Guayama to 6.46 mi E of Guayama
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Unknown
Coordinates: 18.098, -66.090

Heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Maria produced flooding.

Flash Flood, Ciales

When: September 20, 4:17 AM AST to September 21, 6:00 PM AST
Where: Ciales County, 5.3 mi NW of Ciales to 2.79 mi NNE of Ciales
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.329, -66.582

Rio Grande de Manati went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Gurabo

When: September 20, 4:19 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Gurabo County, 3.68 mi NW of Gurabo to 2.52 mi N of Gurabo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.301, -66.016

Rio Gurabo went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Humacao

When: September 20, 4:34 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Humacao County, 4.4 mi NE of Humacao to 4.91 mi S of Humacao
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Unknown
Coordinates: 18.171, -65.748

Heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Maria produced flooding.

Flash Flood, Arroyo

When: September 20, 4:34 AM AST to September 21, 4:53 AM AST
Where: Arroyo County, 4.13 mi NW of Arroyo to 4.28 mi WSW of Arroyo
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 18.022, -66.095

Heavy rain flooded municipality of Arroyo.

Flash Flood, Comerio

When: September 20, 4:54 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Comerio County, 3.85 mi N of Comerio to 3.47 mi E of Comerio
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $250 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.275, -66.213

La Plata river went out of its banks producing serious flash flooding across downtown Comerio.

Flash Flood, Cidra

When: September 20, 5:12 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Cidra County, 2.83 mi NNW of Cidra to 3.36 mi NE of Cidra
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Unknown
Coordinates: 18.208, -66.166

Heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Maria produced flooding.

Flash Flood, Guaynabo

When: September 20, 5:12 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Guaynabo County, 8.98 mi NW of Guaynabo to 8.88 mi NNW of Guaynabo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Unknown
Coordinates: 18.432, -66.114

Heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Maria produced flooding.

Flash Flood, Aguas Buenas

When: September 20, 5:12 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Aguas Buenas County, 4.92 mi NW of Aguas Buenas to 6.07 mi WNW of Aguas Buenas
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.276, -66.177

Heavy rain associated to hurricane Maria resulted in mudslides and rockslides.

Flash Flood, Catano

When: September 20, 5:12 AM AST to September 22, 8:00 AM AST
Where: Catano County, 0.9 mi NE of Catano to 1.12 mi NNW of Catano
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.441, -66.112

Heavy rain resulted in flooding.

Flash Flood, Ceiba

When: September 20, 5:24 AM AST to September 22, 8:00 AM AST
Where: Ceiba County, 2.23 mi N of Ceiba to 2.11 mi NW of Ceiba
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.282, -65.633

Rio Fajardo went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Toa Baja

When: September 20, 6:00 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Toa Baja County, 2.71 mi ENE of Toa Baja to 1.63 mi NNW of Toa Baja
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Deaths: 9 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 billion
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 18.449, -66.164

Rio de la Plata went out of its banks producing catastrophic flooding across Toa Baja municipality. Nine people were confirmed dead due to flooding water associated with the river.

Flash Flood, Vega Alta

When: September 20, 6:00 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Vega Alta County, Vega Alta to 2.1 mi NW of Vega Alta
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 18.420, -66.330

Rio de la Plata went out of its banks. One person was confirmed dead when he was trying to cross road PR-690 in bicycle.

Flash Flood, Utuado

When: September 20, 6:00 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Utuado County, Utuado to 3.41 mi NNE of Utuado
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Deaths: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 18.270, -66.700

Catastrophic flash flooding occurred along Rio Grande de Arecibo in the municipality of Utuado. Serious mudslides occurred across the municipality, were many bridges were totally destroyed, leaving most communities were isolated from getting food, gas and goods supplies. Three sisters were confirmed dead at San Miguel sector when a mudslide destroy their house.

Flash Flood, Coamo

When: September 20, 6:02 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Coamo County, 4.81 mi WSW of Coamo to 3.6 mi WNW of Coamo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.051, -66.416

Rio Coamo went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Corozal

When: September 20, 6:29 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Corozal County, 3.48 mi NNW of Corozal to 2.51 mi N of Corozal
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.347, -66.340

Rio Cibuco went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Canovanas

When: September 20, 6:29 AM AST to September 22, 8:00 AM AST
Where: Canovanas County, 5.96 mi NNW of Canovanas to 5.53 mi NW of Canovanas
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.414, -65.900

Very heavy rain resulted in Rio Canovanas out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Hatillo

When: September 20, 7:16 AM AST to September 21, 6:00 PM AST
Where: Hatillo County, 4.45 mi NNW of Hatillo to 1.68 mi NNE of Hatillo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.479, -66.827

Rio Camuy went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Dorad

When: September 20, 7:20 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Dorad County, 3.54 mi NW of Dorado to 1.53 mi NNE of Dorado
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.471, -66.312

Rio de la Plata went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Cayey

When: September 20, 7:22 AM AST to September 21, 11:00 AM AST
Where: Cayey County, 6.45 mi WNW of Cayey to 4.99 mi W of Cayey
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.143, -66.217

Rio de La Plata went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Isabela

When: September 20, 7:25 AM AST to September 21, 9:15 AM AST
Where: Isabela County, 7.09 mi NW of Isabela to 3.69 mi NW of Isabela
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.510, -67.088

Rio Guajataca went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Jayuya

When: September 20, 7:25 AM AST to 6:00 PM AST
Where: Jayuya County, 5.52 mi N of Jayuya to 2.84 mi ENE of Jayuya
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.280, -66.574

Rio Saliente went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Guayanilla

When: September 20, 7:45 AM AST to September 21, 9:00 AM AST
Where: Guayanilla County, 6.75 mi N of Guayanilla to 4.3 mi N of Guayanilla
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.127, -66.792

Rio Guayanilla went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Guanica

When: September 20, 8:00 AM AST to September 21, 9:00 AM AST
Where: Guanica County, 3.99 mi ESE of Guanica to 3.37 mi WSW of Guanica
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Unknown
Coordinates: 17.953, -66.866

Heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Maria produced flooding.

Flash Flood, Bayamon

When: September 20, 8:22 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Bayamon County, 4.91 mi NNW of Bayamon to 5.7 mi SW of Bayamon
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.416, -66.196

Rio de La Plata out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Caguas

When: September 20, 8:23 AM AST to September 21, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Caguas County, 7.52 mi NNW of Caguas to 4.73 mi N of Caguas
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.303, -66.066

Rio Cag itas out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Carolina

When: September 20, 8:35 AM AST to September 22, 8:00 AM AST
Where: Carolina County, 6.38 mi NNW of Carolina to 4.14 mi NW of Carolina
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.459, -65.978

Rio Quebrada Grande out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Aibonito

When: September 20, 10:02 AM AST to September 21, 3:21 PM AST
Where: Aibonito County, 4.26 mi N of Aibonito to 2.91 mi NW of Aibonito
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.181, -66.241

Rio Coamo went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Adjuntas

When: September 20, 10:46 AM AST to September 21, 6:00 PM AST
Where: Adjuntas County, 6.22 mi NNW of Adjuntas to 5.96 mi WNW of Adjuntas
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.251, -66.791

Rio Grande de Arecibo went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Arecibo

When: September 20, 10:46 AM AST to September 21, 6:00 PM AST
Where: Arecibo County, 7.83 mi WNW of Arecibo to 9.91 mi NNE of Arecibo
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.481, -66.771

Rio Grande de Arecibo went out of its banks. One person was found dead, when he drowned due the flooding water of Rio Grande de Arecibo.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Eastern Interior

When: September 20, 11:00 AM AST to 11:00 PM AST
Where: Eastern Interior forecast zone
Category: 4
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Road 156 obstructed in Barrio Rio Hondo in the municipality of Comerio.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Eastern Interior

When: September 20, 11:00 AM AST to 11:00 PM AST
Where: Eastern Interior forecast zone
Category: 4
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Municipality of Comerio-Landslide and fallen power poles. Road 778 in Barrio Pinas sector la Mora.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Eastern Interior

When: September 20, 11:00 AM AST to 11:00 PM AST
Where: Eastern Interior forecast zone
Category: 4
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Municipality of Comerio-Road 779 obstructed towards Polomas.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Eastern Interior

When: September 20, 11:00 AM AST to 11:00 PM AST
Where: Eastern Interior forecast zone
Category: 4
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Municipality of Comerio-Road 156 obstructed in Barrio Dona Elenoa Sector El Higuero by Electrical Wires.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Central Interior

When: September 20, 11:00 AM AST to 11:00 PM AST
Where: Central Interior forecast zone
Category: 4
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Municipality of Corozal-Bridge collapsed on road 164 in Barrio Nuevo.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Central Interior

When: September 20, 11:00 AM AST to 11:00 PM AST
Where: Central Interior forecast zone
Category: 4
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Municipality of Corozal-Communications to Barrios Mana, Palmarito, and Maguelles cutoff.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Central Interior

When: September 20, 11:00 AM AST to 11:00 PM AST
Where: Central Interior forecast zone
Category: 4
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Municipality of Corozal-Road 802 impassable to vehicles.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Central Interior

When: September 20, 11:00 AM AST to 11:00 PM AST
Where: Central Interior forecast zone
Category: 4
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Municipality of Corozal-Bridge collapsed on Road 152 at marker KM 19.0.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Central Interior

When: September 20, 11:00 AM AST to 11:00 PM AST
Where: Central Interior forecast zone
Category: 4
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Municipality of Corozal-Roads 159, 164, and 803 obstructed with loosen earth and cement posts. Heavy Machinery was needed to remove this debris and clear roadways.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Central Interior

When: September 20, 11:00 AM AST to 11:00 PM AST
Where: Central Interior forecast zone
Category: 4
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Municipality of Corozal-Road 568 washed out in Barrio Maguelles.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Central Interior

When: September 20, 11:00 AM AST to 11:00 PM AST
Where: Central Interior forecast zone
Category: 4
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Municipality of Corozal-Road 803 washed out in Barrio Palos Blancos. 25 people had to be evacuated.

Flash Flood, Camuy

When: September 20, 11:16 AM AST to September 21, 9:15 AM AST
Where: Camuy County, 4.71 mi NNE of Camuy to 6.14 mi NNW of Camuy
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.486, -66.833

Rio Camuy out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Hormigueros

When: September 20, 11:27 AM AST to September 21, 9:15 AM AST
Where: Hormigueros County, 2.1 mi NW of Hormigueros to 1.19 mi N of Hormigueros
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.151, -67.144

Rio Guanajibo went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Barceloneta

When: September 20, 11:41 AM AST to September 21, 6:00 PM AST
Where: Barceloneta County, 3.64 mi NNE of Barceloneta to 2 mi N of Barceloneta
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.479, -66.530

Rio Manati out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Barranquitas

When: September 20, 11:41 AM AST to September 21, 6:00 PM AST
Where: Barranquitas County, 3.61 mi NW of Barranquitas to 3.43 mi WSW of Barranquitas
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.242, -66.352

Rio Grande de Manati out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Aguadilla

When: September 20, 12:48 PM AST to September 21, 9:15 AM AST
Where: Aguadilla County, 3.24 mi NNE of Aguadilla to 4.35 mi NNW of Aguadilla
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: Unknown
Coordinates: 18.513, -67.101

Heavy rain resulted in floods.

Flash Flood, Anasco

When: September 20, 12:53 PM AST to September 21, 9:15 AM AST
Where: Anasco County, 7.22 mi WNW of Anasco to 2.82 mi WSW of Anasco
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Deaths: 4 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: Unknown
Coordinates: 18.304, -67.227

Heavy rain resulted in flash flooding across the municipality of Anasco. Rio Anasco and all its tributaries went out of its banks. Four people were confirmed dead due to the flooding waters associated with the river.

Flash Flood, Cabo Rojo

When: September 20, 3:21 PM AST to September 21, 9:15 AM AST
Where: Cabo Rojo County, 10.01 mi NNW of Cabo Rojo to 5.62 mi NW of Cabo Rojo
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.167, -67.178

Rio Guanajibo out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Aguada

When: September 20, 4:36 PM AST to September 21, 9:15 AM AST
Where: Aguada County, 20.41 mi N of Aguada to 17.84 mi N of Aguada
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $750 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 18.415, -67.160

Rio Culebrinas was out of its banks, flooding most of the Coloso area and its surrounding areas. Two police officer died when a surge of water swept then when Rio Culebrinas went out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Florida

When: September 20, 6:10 PM AST to September 21, 6:00 PM AST
Where: Florida County, 3.98 mi NNW of Florida to 2.92 mi N of Florida
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Unknown
Coordinates: 18.405, -66.568

Heavy rains associated with Hurricane Maria produced flooding.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Flash Flood, Toa Baja	2017-09-20			Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Toa Baja	2017-09-20			Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Toa Baja	2017-09-20			Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Toa Baja	2017-09-20			Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Toa Baja	2017-09-20			Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Toa Baja	2017-09-20			Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Toa Baja	2017-09-20			Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Toa Baja	2017-09-20			Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Toa Baja	2017-09-20			Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Vega Alta	2017-09-20		Male	Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Utuado	2017-09-20		Female	Permanent Home	Direct
Flash Flood, Utuado	2017-09-20		Female	Permanent Home	Direct
Flash Flood, Utuado	2017-09-20		Female	Permanent Home	Direct
Flash Flood, Arecibo	2017-09-20		Male	Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Anasco	2017-09-20			Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Anasco	2017-09-20			Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Anasco	2017-09-20			Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Anasco	2017-09-20			Unknown	Direct
Flash Flood, Aguada	2017-09-20	53	Male	In Water	Direct
Flash Flood, Aguada	2017-09-20	47	Male	In Water	Direct

What these are

Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Hurricane (Typhoon): A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or more, filed per forecast zone for its wind, and with separate events for its flooding, surge and tornadoes.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Puerto Rico in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history Warnings in Puerto Rico, September 2017 The 2017 hurricane season

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 721503, 721924, 721926, 721905, 721929, 721935, 722507, 721364, 721906, 721928, 722607, 722613, 722509, 749456, 749457, 749737, 721914, 721915, 722508, 721933, 721923, 722636, 721936, 721937, 721927, 721931, 722612, 722510, 722611, 722635, 722617, 722620, 721907, 721908, 721909, 721910, 721916, 721917, 721918, 721919, and more.