Puerto Rico, 2020Flash Flooding and Flooding in Puerto Rico, April 7 to 8, 2020
April 7 to 8, 2020 · NWS SJU · 9 events in 4 counties and zones
A frontal boundary lingered across the northern portion of PR. This combined with abundant moisture and slow-steering flow resulted in areas of showers developing, mainly across the coastal municipalities of eastern, northeastern, and northern Puerto Rico.
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
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- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 9
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.
A frontal boundary lingered across the northern portion of PR. This combined with abundant moisture and slow-steering flow resulted in areas of showers developing, mainly across the coastal municipalities of eastern, northeastern, and northern Puerto Rico.
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 Apr 7, 9:40 PM AST, 2 hours 19 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 7, 9:40 PM AST, 2 hours 19 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Juan PR
940 PM AST Tue Apr 7 2020
.UPDATE...
Lingering frontal boundary across the region will continue to support
the development of shower activity across the region through
Wednesday. Afternoon convection across the interior sections of PR
drifted northwards across the coastal municipalities by late
evening, and redeveloped producing periods of moderate to heavy
rainfall. This lead to ponding of water on roadways and minor
urban flooding in some areas of poor drainage. Expect activity to
diminish in the next couple of hours leaving partly cloudy to
variably cloudy skies. Another round of shower activity will
remain possible along parts of the north and east coastal sections
by early morning. Recent TJSJ 08/00Z upper air sounding showed
moisture trapped below 700 millibars, with light northeasterly
winds becoming westerly above and increasing with height above,
and overhead jet max about 90 kts. No change to the inherited
short term forecast package at this time.
&&
.AVIATION UPDATE...VFR at all terminals durg prd. SCT-BKN cld
lyrs nr FL022...FL050...FL080 with SHRA to affect N coastal areas
of PR, ovr Atl waters and enroute fm PR to northern Leeward
Islands. Few tops btw FL140-FL180. Sfc wnds fm E 5-10 kts bcmg
10-15 kts aft 08/14Z.
&&
.MARINE UPDATE...Gentle to moderate northeasterly winds and a slowly
fading northerly swell will maintain choppy seas. Small craft
operators should therefore exercise caution especially over the
Atlantic waters and Mona passage. Seas continued between 4-6 feet
over the Atlantic waters and passages, and 2 to 4 feet over the
Caribbean waters. Winds were between 5 to 15 knots.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 400 PM AST Tue Apr 7 2020/
SYNOPSIS...
Moisture associated with a frontal boundary continue across the
area. This will result in passing showers across the area, with
induced activity during the afternoon across the area with urban
and small stream flooding possible. Drier weather is anticipated
by the end of the week and for the weekend.
SHORT TERM...Rest of Today through Thursday...
There remains normal to above-normal levels of moisture across the
region this afternoon, associated with a weakening frontal boundary
lying to the south. This boundary is expected to drift northward
tomorrow into Thursday, and moisture is expected to increase
tomorrow, with precipitable water values rising to around 1.8 to 1.9
inches. Passing showers are possible across the local waters and in
windward portions of the local islands during the overnight and
morning hours. There is sufficient moisture to aid in the
development of diurnally- and locally-induced showers in the
afternoons. The focus of the activity will generally be in the
central/interior portions of Puerto Rico. With increases in moisture
tomorrow, showers are also likely to become more widespread; winds
are also expected to veer slightly to become more east-southeast,
which would act to push and spread the area of peak activity
northward to north-central portions of Puerto Rico. Showers are
likely to be slow moving, as the steering flow remains light across
the region. As such, there is still a risk for urban and small
stream flooding both this afternoon and tomorrow.
On Thursday, the front will continue to press northward, slowly
exiting the region. Moisture levels will decrease gradually
Thursday, which will inhibit shower activity. However, there will
remain sufficient moisture in the area to support passing showers
and afternoon showers, though decreased compared to today and
tomorrow.
LONG TERM...Friday through Wednesday../FROM PREVIOUS DISCUSSION/
On Friday, a southeasterly wind flow will carry some low-level
moisture fragments across the region and will result in shower
activity in the afternoon hours, across western and north central
sectors of Puerto Rico. A different weather pattern is expected
on Saturday as a dry air mass moves across the region, limiting
the shower activity across the islands. However, some afternoon
convection still possible due to the local effects. Afternoon
development should be focused over the interior and northwest
sections of Puerto Rico. Also, the southeasterly wind flow is
expected to result in warmer temperatures across the coastal areas
of northern Puerto Rico.
On Monday, a building high pressure located in the northeastern
Atlantic will carry some low-level moisture across the region.
This moisture in combination with the local effects can result in
more shower activity across the main island, especially
in the afternoon hours due to the diurnal heating. For the U.S.
Virgin Islands, some passing showers still possible in the
morning hours.
AVIATION...Prevailing VFR with VCSH expected across the local
terminals for the rest of today. Brief MVFR conds could occur at
TJMZ, TJSJ and TIST if these showers affect the terminals directly,
but at this time, the showers are expected to remain in the vicinity
most of the time and therefore not in the TAF. Wind will be at 15 kt
or less from the east to NE with sea breeze variations but will
become light and variable after 07/23Z. Increase in SHRA activity
expected for PR and northern USVI after 08/12Z.
MARINE...
Marine conditions continue to improve with seas at 6 feet or less
and winds at 15 knots. Small craft operators should exercise
caution. The remnants of a frontal boundary will continue to
produce a few showers over the waters. For the beaches, the rip
current risk continue to be high across the northern coast of
Puerto Rico.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SJU 75 86 75 89 / 40 50 40 40
STT 75 85 76 84 / 40 40 20 20
&&
.SJU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PR...High Rip Current Risk through Wednesday afternoon for Culebra-
Mayaguez and Vicinity-North Central-Northeast-Northwest-San
Juan and Vicinity-Southeast.
VI...High Rip Current Risk through Wednesday afternoon for
St.Thomas...St. John...and Adjacent Islands.
AM...None.
&&
SHORT TERM...RAM
LONG TERM....RAM
PUBLIC DESK...ERGHazardous weather outlook, Apr 7, 4:42 AM AST, 19 hours 17 minutes before
Perspectivas sobre Condiciones Peligrosas del Tiempo
Servicio Nacional de Meteorologia San Juan PR
420 AM AST martes 7 de abril de 2020
AMZ710>745-PRZ001>013-080830-
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 mar afuera del Atlantico y Caribe-
420 AM AST martes 7 de abril de 2020
Esta perspectiva sobre las condiciones peligrosas del tiempo es para
Puerto Rico y las aguas costeras del Atlantico.
.Dia Uno...Hoy y esta noche
.Inundaciones...Lluvia fuerte pudiera resultar en acumulacion de
agua en carreteras y en areas de pobre drenaje al igual que
inundaciones urbanas y de riachuelos menores, especialmente a traves
del interior de Puerto Rico.
.Oleaje...Se espera oleaje picado de hasta 6 pies a traves de las
aguas del Atlantico y el pasaje de Mona.
.Corrientes marinas...Existe un riesgo alto de corrientes marinas
para las playas del norte de Puerto Rico y Culebra.
.Dias dos hasta el siete...miercoles a lunes
Un riesgo alto de corrientes marinas continuara para las playas del
norte de Puerto Rico el miercoles. Aguaceros por la tarde el
miercoles pudieran resultar en areas de inundaciones urbanas y de
riachuelos.
.Comunicado sobre informacion reportada por observadores...
No se anticipa activacion de observadores. Favor comunicar
cualquier informacion sobre corrientes marinas e inundaciones al
Servicio Nacional de Meteorologia en San Juan, siguiendo las
indicaciones de las autoridades locales y estatales.
AMZ715-725-VIZ001-002-080830-
San Tomas, San John y Islas Adyacentes-
Santa Cruz-Aguas cercanas del Atlantico y aguas costeras adyacentes
del Caribe-
420 AM AST martes 7 de abril de 2020
Esta perspectiva sobre las condiciones peligrosas del tiempo es para
Islas Virgenes Estadounidenses y las aguas costeras adyacentes.
.Dia uno...Hoy y esta noche
.Oleaje...Se espera oleaje picado de hasta 6 pies a traves de las
aguas del Atlantico.
.Corrientes marinas...Existe un riesgo alto de corrientes marinas
para Botany Beach in San Tomas. Existe un riesgo moderado de
corrientes marinas para el resto de las playas locales.
.Dias dos hasta el siete...miercoles a lunes
Un riesgo moderado de corrientes marinas continuara para algunas de
las playas locales durante los proximos dias.
.Comunicado sobre informacion reportada por observadores...
No se anticipa activacion de observadores. Favor comunicar cualquier
informacion sobre corrientes marinas al Servicio Nacional de
Meteorologia en San Juan, siguiendo las indicaciones de las
autoridades locales.
Flood, Naguabo
- When
- April 7, 11:59 PM AST to April 8, 1:30 AM AST
- Where
- Naguabo County, 3.74 mi W of Naguabo to 3.69 mi W of Naguabo
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 18.221, -65.787
Emergency managers reported that Road PR-31 was flooded due to high water levels from Rio Blanco.
Flood, San Juan
- When
- April 8, 4:33 AM AST to 10:30 AM AST
- Where
- San Juan County, 3.21 mi NNE of San Juan to 2.99 mi NNE of San Juan
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 18.425, -66.039
Calle Blanes in sector San Jose was flooded.
Flash Flood, San Juan
- When
- April 8, 4:35 AM AST to 6:30 AM AST
- Where
- San Juan County, 3.16 mi N of San Juan to 2.95 mi N of San Juan
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 18.425, -66.057
Avenida Roosevelt near Calle Quisqueya was completely flooded.
Flash Flood, San Juan
- When
- April 8, 4:35 AM AST to 6:30 AM AST
- Where
- San Juan County, 4.37 mi NW of San Juan to 4.27 mi NW of San Juan
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 18.425, -66.097
Avenida Kennedy was completely flooded.
Flood, San Juan
- When
- April 8, 4:40 AM AST to 10:45 AM AST
- Where
- San Juan County, 3.85 mi N of San Juan to 3.69 mi N of San Juan
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 18.436, -66.053
Urban flooding was reported along Calles Caracas, Dolores, Nin, Martino, Guatier Benitez, and Rexach in Barrio Obrero.
Flood, San Juan
- When
- April 8, 4:57 AM AST to 10:45 AM AST
- Where
- San Juan County, 3.88 mi NW of San Juan to 3.84 mi NW of San Juan
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 18.417, -66.094
Calle 20 NW in Sector Puerto Nuevo was flooded.
Flood, San Juan
- When
- April 8, 6:18 AM AST to 10:45 AM AST
- Where
- San Juan County, 4.79 mi N of San Juan to 4.72 mi N of San Juan
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- 911 Call Center
- Coordinates
- 18.448, -66.064
Calle del Parque in Santurce was reported impassable due to flooding.
Flash Flood, Luquillo
- When
- April 8, 12:20 PM AST to 3:00 PM AST
- Where
- Luquillo County, 1.28 mi WNW of Luquillo to 1.23 mi WNW of Luquillo
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 18.355, -65.739
Emergency managers reported that Road PR-992 KM 2.2 has been closed due to a stream out of its banks.
Flash Flood, Fajardo
- When
- April 8, 12:40 PM AST to 3:00 PM AST
- Where
- Fajardo County, 1.15 mi NW of Fajardo to 0.97 mi NNW of Fajardo
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 18.332, -65.662
Emergency managers reported that Avenida Conquistador was closed due to flooding from Rio Fajardo, which went out of its banks.
- Flood
- Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
- 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.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Virginia, April 7 to 8, 20201 death · 5 injured · $150,000 · 1 in hail · 20 events
- Tornadoes and Hail in Pennsylvania, April 7 to 8, 2020$993,000 · EF1 · 89 events
- Flash Flooding and Hail in West Virginia, April 7 to 10, 2020$1.2 million · 1.75 in hail · 90 events
- Tornadoes and Hail in Ohio, April 7, 2020$580,000 · EF1 · 49 events
- Hail in Michigan, April 7, 2020$2.8 million · 2 in hail · 13 events
- Tornado and Flooding in Ohio, April 7 to 9, 2020$240,000 · EF1 · 28 events
- Tornadoes and Hail in Ohio, April 7 to 8, 2020$116,000 · EF1 · 23 events
- Hail in Iowa, April 7, 20202.75 in hail · 73 events
- Hail in Illinois, April 7, 2020$30,000 · 3 in hail · 32 events
- Damaging Winds in Pennsylvania, April 7 to 8, 2020$70,000 · 70 kt wind · 12 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Maryland, April 7 to 8, 2020$69,000 · 1 in hail · 12 events
- Damaging Winds in West Virginia, April 7, 2020$64,000 · 60 kt wind · 7 events
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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 888966, 888967, 888968, 888969, 888971, 888972, 888973, 888974, 888975.