Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in Puerto Rico, November 9 to 13, 2024

Name: Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in Puerto Rico, November 9 to 13, 2024
Start: 2024-11-09T06:00
End: 2024-11-13T19:00
Location: Puerto Rico

November 9 to 13, 2024 · NWS SJU · 21 events in 12 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: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $164,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 21

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.

A Flash Flood Watch was issued on the second weekend of November, mainly due to a tropical wave moving through the area and a lingering frontal boundary. Saturated soils and moderate to heavy rainfall helped increase the flood and debris flow threat. This tropical wave brought abundant moisture above typical November levels, along with instability, leading to thunderstorms with frequent lightning, strong, gusty winds, and breezy to windy conditions in parts of the islands. From November 9th to 11th, above 3 inches of rain were reported, across SW and N Puerto Rico, but mainly over SE Puerto Rico and Vieques, (with some stations reporting 5 to 6.69 inches in those areas).

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 Nov 9, 5:13 AM AST, 47 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 9, 5:13 AM AST, 47 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Nov 9, 5:23 AM AST, 37 minutes before

Perspectiva sobre las Condiciones Peligrosas del Tiempo
Servicio Nacional de Meteorología San Juan PR
448 AM AST sábado 9 de noviembre de 2024

AMZ711>745-PRZ001>013-101000-
San Juan y Vecindad-Noreste-Sureste-Este Interior-
Norte Central-Central Interior-Ponce y Vecindad-Noroeste-
Oeste Interior-Mayagüez y Vecindad-Suroeste-Culebra-Vieques-
Las aguas cercanas y fuera de la costa del Atlántico y del Caribe-
448 AM AST sábado 9 de noviembre de 2024

Esta perspectiva sobre las condiciones peligrosas del tiempo es para
sectores de Puerto Rico.

.DÍA UNO...Hoy y esta noche

.Rayos...Las tormentas eléctricas aisladas a dispersas son posibles.
 Planee detener toda la actividad al aire libre y moverse a los
refugios.

.Lluvia Excesiva...Inundaciones en áreas urbanas, carreteras,
riachuelos y lavados.  Inundaciones repentinas amenazantes a la
vida, incluyendo deslizamientos de tierra, ingresando a estructuras
y cortando vecindarios,  especialmente en áreas propensas a
inundaciones y áreas con suelos saturados.

.Corrientes Marinas...Las corrientes marinas amenazantes a la vida
son posibles en la zona de olas, particularmente a través de las
playas de la mitad norte de Puerto Rico, Culebra y Vieques.

.DÍAS DOS A SIETE...domingo a viernes

Los aguaceros, las tormentas eléctricas y los vientos en aumento
generados por una onda tropical continuarán representando un riesgo
de lluvia excesiva, rayos y condiciones de brisa fuerte a ventosas
el domingo.  Para principios de la próxima semana, las marejadas del
norte generarán oleaje peligroso y corrientes marinas amenazantes a
la vida en las costas expuestas. También se espera que las
temperaturas cálidas regresen temprano la próxima semana.

.COMUNICADO SOBRE INFORMACIÓN DE OBSERVADORES...

Se les exhorta a los observadores a reportar.  Favor de reportar
cualquier información sobre inundaciones, vientos, olas y corrientes
marinas al Servicio Nacional de Meteorología en San Juan.

AMZ716-726-VIZ001-002-101000-
San Thomas San John e islas adyacentes-Santa Cruz-
Aguas cercanas a la costa del Atlántico y aguas costeras adyacentes
del Caribe-
448 AM AST sábado 9 de noviembre de 2024

Esta Perspectiva sobre las Condiciones Peligrosas del Tiempo es para
sectores de las Islas Vírgenes Americanas.

.DÍA UNO...Hoy y esta noche

.Rayos...Las tormentas eléctricas aisladas a dispersas son posibles.
 Planee detener toda la actividad al aire libre y moverse a los
refugios.

.Lluvia Excesiva...Inundaciones en áreas urbanas, carreteras,
riachuelos y lavados.  Las inundaciones repentinas aisladas son
posibles.

.Corrientes Marinas...Las corrientes marinas amenazantes a la vida
son posibles en la mayoría de las zonas de oleaje de todas las Islas
Vírgenes Estadounidenses.

.DÍAS DOS A SIETE...domingo a viernes

Los aguaceros, las tormentas eléctricas y los vientos en aumento
generados por una onda tropical continuarán representando un riesgo
de lluvia excesiva, rayos y condiciones de brisa fuerte a ventosas
el domingo.  Para principios de la próxima semana, las marejadas del
norte generarán oleaje peligroso y corrientes marinas amenazantes a
la vida en las costas expuestas. También se espera que las
temperaturas cálidas regresen temprano la próxima semana.

.COMUNICADO SOBRE INFORMACIÓN DE OBSERVADORES...

Se les exhorta a los observadores a reportar.  Favor de reportar
cualquier información sobre inundaciones, vientos, olas y corrientes
marinas al Servicio Nacional de Meteorología en San Juan.

The radar

The San Juan radar (TJUA), 38 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 10:02 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 debris flow, 6 flash flood, 4 flood, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Debris Flow, Naguabo

When: November 9, 6:00 AM AST
Where: Naguabo County, 2.04 mi NNW of Naguabo to 2.03 mi NNW of Naguabo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 18.245, -65.747

Extensive damage was reported at a home on St. 1, La Sierra, El Duque, Naguabo. This was due to a landslide triggered by heavy rains. No injuries were reported among the 5 residents of the home, including a child, an 88-year-old man, and a 78-year-old woman. The home showed badly damaged walls and columns, as well as a sinkhole in the floor. Emergency managers reported that the home and surrounding land are 5 feet deep from before the landslide.

Flood, Canovanas

When: November 9, 11:43 PM AST to November 10, 2:00 AM AST
Where: Canovanas County, 4.59 mi NNW of Canovanas to 4.64 mi NNW of Canovanas
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 18.390, -65.910

A 911 report indicated a person trapped in a car on PR-951 due to blackwater flooding in a blocked off area; the person had moved the barriers to enter.

Flash Flood, Naguabo

When: November 10, 12:20 AM AST to 3:00 AM AST
Where: Naguabo County, 3.08 mi W of Naguabo to 3 mi W of Naguabo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.214, -65.776

Two trapped vehicles were reported in the intersection of PR-31 and PR-53 due to flooding resulted from Rio Blanco.

Debris Flow, Ceiba

When: November 10, 5:00 AM AST
Where: Ceiba County, 4.49 mi WNW of Ceiba to 4.46 mi WNW of Ceiba
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.264, -65.697

Emergency Managers reported a landslide near a bridge along PR-975, km 6, in Barrio Rio Abajo in Ceiba.

Debris Flow, Maunabo

When: November 10, 10:00 AM AST
Where: Maunabo County, 3.44 mi NW of Maunabo to 3.43 mi NW of Maunabo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $400
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.035, -65.958

Emergency manager reported landslide along PR-759 km 7.7 in Maunabo. No injuries nor damage to property reported.

Debris Flow, Yabucoa

When: November 10, 11:00 AM AST
Where: Yabucoa County, 3.58 mi SSE of Yabucoa to 3.5 mi SSE of Yabucoa
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.024, -65.845

Emergency managers reported a landslide affecting a portion of road PR-901 in Barrio Camino Nuevo, near km 8.3. The road was also blocked by a large boulder.

Flash Flood, Rio Grande

When: November 10, 11:45 AM AST to 2:00 PM AST
Where: Rio Grande County, 2.09 mi ENE of Rio Grande to 2.11 mi ENE of Rio Grande
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.359, -65.769

Emergency managers reported that flash flood waters from Quebrada Tabonuco, a |tributary of the Rio Mameyes, blocked PR-191 near kilometer 1.2, leaving the communities of Sector La Vega and Barcelona in Barrio Mameyes, Rio Grande, stranded.

Flash Flood, Juncos

When: November 10, 12:20 PM AST to 2:00 PM AST
Where: Juncos County, 1.08 mi N of Juncos
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $400
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 18.236, -65.900

Broadcast meteorologist reported flooding at PR-31 in Juncos in front of Amgen Pharmaceutical and a Shell Gas station.

Debris Flow, Caguas

When: November 10, 12:41 PM AST
Where: Caguas County, 48.38 mi ENE of Adjuntas to 48.36 mi ENE of Adjuntas
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 18.308, -66.027

A mudslide was reported at PR-175 near the entrance of Urb. Emerald Lake in Trujillo Alto. At this moment there is also a fallen tree obstructing the road.

Debris Flow, Humacao

When: November 10, 1:18 PM AST
Where: Humacao County, 4.15 mi N of Humacao
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $46,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.189, -65.809

Emergency management officials reported a landslide impacting a residential property in Barrio Ant n Ruiz on Calle Tulip n, Humacao. The landslide affected the patio, damaged the back wall, and obstructed the parkway of the house.

Debris Flow, Caguas

When: November 10, 1:19 PM AST
Where: Caguas County, 5.02 mi N of Caguas to 5.08 mi N of Caguas
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $400
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 18.272, -66.041

A landslide was reported in Road 1 just before the Caguas Expressway near PR-52.

Thunderstorm Wind, Maunabo

When: November 10, 2:00 PM AST
Where: Maunabo County, 5.75 mi NW of Maunabo
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.061, -65.980

Emergency managers reported a fallen tree affecting power lines and portions of road PR-900 Near KM 11.8 In Bo Guayabota, Sector Quebradilla, Yabucoa. The road was impassable.

Debris Flow, Maunabo

When: November 10, 3:00 PM AST
Where: Maunabo County, 59.36 mi E of Adjuntas to 59.44 mi E of Adjuntas
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $400
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 18.020, -65.860

A member of the public reported a landslide affecting one side of Road 901 in BO Emajaguas, Maunabo, PR. Around 1.00 to 1.30 inches has fallen.

Flash Flood, Fajardo

When: November 11, 2:00 AM AST to 6:00 AM AST
Where: Fajardo County, 3.21 mi NNE of Fajardo to 3.2 mi NNE of Fajardo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.364, -65.633

Emergency management reported 3 houses affected by aerial flooding and flooding from a nearby creek with at least 3 people trapped. This was in Medusa St., Sector La Roca, Bo. Croabas, Fajardo. water 4-5 feet above ground was reported.

Flash Flood, Fajardo

When: November 11, 2:12 AM AST to 4:00 AM AST
Where: Fajardo County, 3.17 mi NNE of Fajardo to 3.1 mi NNE of Fajardo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.364, -65.637

PR-987, KM 4.8, in Bo. Las Croabas was impassable due to flooding. The road was closed by officials during the early morning hours.

Flash Flood, Fajardo

When: November 11, 2:17 AM AST to 5:00 AM AST
Where: Fajardo County, 2.68 mi N of Fajardo to 2.65 mi N of Fajardo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.358, -65.645

El Conquistador Ave. was impassable due to flooding near the Cristo Vida Eterna Church in Fajardo. Officials closed this area of the avenue during the early morning hours.

Flood, Ceiba

When: November 11, 2:40 AM AST to 5:00 AM AST
Where: Ceiba County, 2.82 mi NW of Ceiba to 2.81 mi NW of Ceiba
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $400
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.273, -65.666

Emergency managers reported flooding along PR-975, KM 2, near El Caracol Apartments in Barrio Saco in Ceiba due to a nearby stream.

Flood, Rio Grande

When: November 11, 3:30 AM AST to 5:00 AM AST
Where: Rio Grande County, 5.56 mi NNW of Rio Grande
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $400
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.423, -65.836

Emergency managers reported flooding along the roads in Villa Cristiana. Flooding did not reach the houses.

Debris Flow, Naguabo

When: November 11, 7:15 AM AST
Where: Naguabo County, 2.05 mi WSW of Naguabo to 2.07 mi WSW of Naguabo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $400
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 18.212, -65.760

Leftover debris along bridge in road PR-31 km 6.3 due a previous stream overflowing. A |Flash Flood Warning was in effect when reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ponce

When: November 11, 10:34 AM AST
Where: Ponce County, 3.18 mi NW of Ponce
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $9,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 18.083, -66.654

Social media report indicated that PR-123 near Hacienda Buena Vista, was blocked due to a downed tree that impacted a utility pole. The pole fell and was emitting sparks, creating a hazardous situation. Elderly individuals were reported to be near the scene, and there was currently no vehicle access through the road.

Flood, Penuelas

When: November 13, 4:30 PM AST to 7:00 PM AST
Where: Penuelas County, 0.71 mi NNW of Penuelas
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $400
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 18.060, -66.724

Emergency managers reported flooding on Munoz Rivera St. in Barrio Maldonado, though it remained passable.

What these are

Debris Flow: A fast-moving slurry of mud, rock and debris, usually on a slope soaked by heavy rain or stripped by a fire.
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.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Puerto Rico in 2024 Every state in 2024 This day in weather history Warnings in Puerto Rico, November 2024

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: 1221870, 1220225, 1220218, 1221915, 1221911, 1221913, 1220222, 1220223, 1221906, 1221914, 1221910, 1220237, 1221912, 1220227, 1220245, 1220243, 1220239, 1220236, 1221871, 1220240, 1220241.