Coastal Flood in Puerto Rico

Events

101

Deaths

3

Injuries

0

Damage

$315,000

• Coastal Flood and High Surf in Puerto Rico, December 27 to 29, 20092 deaths · 6 injured · $15,000 · 5 eventsA deep and slow moving low pressure system across the north central Atlantic generated large swells which began affecting Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands late in the day on Saturday December 26th, 2009.
• Coastal Flood and High Surf in Puerto Rico, February 9 to 11, 20262 deaths · 1 injured · $93,000 · 3 eventsA large, long-period northwest to northerly swell impacted the Atlantic waters and local passages of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands from February 9 through February 11, 2026.
• Coastal Flood in Puerto Rico, November 17, 19962 deaths · $30,000 · 1 eventCivil Defense reported that in Arecibo, one person was confirmed dead, and one missing. Two men in a 27 footer vessel went out to sea. 15 foot swells came up suddenly and broke the boat in two pieces. One drowned body recovered, the other was missing, presumably drowned.
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in Puerto Rico, May 5 to 7, 20121 death · $60,000 · 0.75 in hail · 9 eventsUpper level trough combined with ample low level moisture to produce scattered to numerous showers with thunderstorms across Puerto Rico.
• Coastal Flood and Rip Current in Puerto Rico, November 16 to 17, 20241 death · $30,000 · 4 eventsA long period northerly swell created hazardous coastal conditions along the north-facing beaches of PR and the US Virgin Islands during the third weekend of November. The exposed Atlantic coastline were impacted by breaking waves between 8 and 15 feet.
• Coastal Flood and High Surf in Puerto Rico, September 17, 20101 death · 1 injured · 2 eventsDangerous long period northeast and then north swells generated by Hurricane Igor produced large breaking waves, dangerous surf, and some coastal flooding across Puerto Rico.
• Coastal Flood and High Surf in Puerto Rico, January 13 to 16, 20131 death · 2 eventsA Deep area of low pressure located over the North Central Atlantic generated very large swells that arrived into the Atlantic Coastlines of Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands.
• Coastal Flood and Rip Current in Puerto Rico, September 12 to 13, 20231 death · 2 eventsA northerly s well from Hurricane Lee deteriorated marine and coastal conditions along the area. Breaking waves just shy from 14 feet were observed along many areas in northern Puerto Rico. The breaking waves managed to bring sand into vulnerable roads.
• Coastal Flood and High Surf in Puerto Rico, October 19 to 20, 20251 death · $2,000 · 2 eventsA long-period northerly swell produced hazardous breaking waves along the north-facing beaches of Puerto Rico.
• Coastal Flood in Puerto Rico, April 4, 20231 death · 1 eventA high pressure system over the central Atlantic was driven moderate to fresh winds, resulting choppy seas impacting the local waters of Puerto Rico. The risk of rip currents was high during this period.
• Coastal Flood and High Surf in Puerto Rico, March 19 to 20, 2008$3.3 million · 8 eventsPuerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were severely affected by a high surf and coastal flooding situation which peaked on Ash Wednesday, March 19, 2008 through Thursday, March 20, 2008 (during the Easter Holy Week).
• Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in Puerto Rico, October 25 to 29, 2023$173,000 · 64 eventsMoisture pulled into the region by TC Tammy (by that time well north of the area), in combination with an upper-level trough, a frontal boundary and a pre-frontal trough, produced numerous showers and thunderstorms across the islands.
• Coastal Flood and Damaging Winds in Puerto Rico, July 2 to 3, 2024$81,000 · 8 eventsHurricane Beryl moved south of Puerto Rico early in the month, as a powerful category five storm. The system brought breezy to windy conditions to the islands, as well as passing showers and thunderstorms.
• Coastal Flood and Rip Current in Puerto Rico, October 3 to 4, 20253 injured · $13,000 · 11 eventsA large, long-period northerly swell moved across the local Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Passages from late Thursday night on October 2nd through October 6th, creating hazardous marine and coastal conditions across the north-facing beaches of Puerto Rico.
• Coastal Flood in Puerto Rico, February 1 to 3, 1999$40,000 · 4 eventsAn strong low pressure system developed across the central atlantic producing large north swells across the north coasts of Puerto Rico and the U.S, Virgin Islands. An associated cold front moved across the region during the afternoon hours on February 1.
• Coastal Flood in Puerto Rico, February 2 to 3, 2026$35,000 · 2 eventsA large, long-period northwest to northerly swell affected the Atlantic waters and local passages of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands from February 2 through February 3, 2026. Seas built rapidly to 12-16 feet, with higher values observed during the peak of the event.
• Coastal Flood in Puerto Rico, January 16 to 19, 2006$35,000 · 1 eventCoastal areas of the Aguadilla municipality were flooded by 12 to 15 feet swells that flooded roads and forced several schools to close. Several fishermen boats were damaged as well as boat ramps and platforms at Barrio Higuey.
• Coastal Flood and High Surf in Puerto Rico, January 11, 2025$23,000 · 8 eventsA long-period northerly swell was moving across the local Atlantic waters and Caribbean passages on January 11th, generating large breaking waves along the northerly exposed beaches of Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Tropical Storm and Flash Flooding in Puerto Rico, August 23 to 24, 2012$3,000 · 20 eventsTropical Storm Isaac tracked south of the area leaving hazardous sea across the Caribbean waters.
• Coastal Flood in Puerto Rico, March 4 to 8, 20188 eventsA deep and strong surface low pressure across the western north Atlantic, produced large long period north to northwest swells. These swells were up to 20 feet high in some areas with breaking wave between 25 to 30 feet.
• Coastal Flood in Puerto Rico, January 11 to 13, 20164 eventsNortheasterly swell affected the local waters as a strong surface low pressure moved across the East Central Atlantic. Seas reached 8.5 feet with periods of 13 to 14 seconds.
• Coastal Flood and Damaging Winds in Puerto Rico, July 3 to 4, 2021$3,000 · 4 eventsHurricane Elsa passed about 200 miles to the south of the southern coast of PR. However, outer rainbands associated with the tropical cyclone affected the southern half of Puerto Rico with periods of heavy rains and gusty winds.
• Coastal Flood in Puerto Rico, December 9, 2022$2,000 · 4 eventsPulses of large, long-period northerly swells impacted the northwest to east coasts of the islands during the first and second weeks of December. This caused dangerous breaking wave action along the Atlantic coastline, life-threatening rip currents, and minor coastal flooding.
• Coastal Flood in Puerto Rico, September 23 to 25, 20203 eventsA significant northerly swell from distant Hurricane Teddy, which tracked well north of the area, resulting in coastal flooding across some areas along the north coast of PR.
• Coastal Flood in Puerto Rico, October 29 to 30, 20122 eventsLarge long period northwest swells associated with the broad circulation of Hurricane Sandy affected the local Atlantic waters and the Caribbean passages. Large breaking waves of 15 to 20 feet produced coastal flooding mainly in low lying and exposed areas.

Coastal Flood everywhereEvery kind of event in Puerto Rico

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.