Excessive Rainfall and Flood Threat Issued for USVI and Puerto Rico

Enhanced storm activity to bring continuous rain and increased flood risks.

  • Staff Consortium
  • May 06, 2024
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Increased shower and thunderstorm activity, driven by abundant moisture and unstable conditions caused by an upper-level trough, along with saturated soils and above-normal streamflows, will maintain an elevated to locally significant flooding risk across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The excessive rainfall/flood threat will affect urban and small streams as well as potentially life-threatening flash floods. The NWS has identified areas at different levels of risk, as shown in their latest 48-hour Excessive Rainfall/Flood Threat map:

  • Significant Risk (Red Zone): Includes the northern regions of Puerto Rico, where life-threatening flash flooding is possible. Flooding may enter structures and cut off neighborhoods.

  • Elevated Risk (Orange Zone): Encompasses most other regions of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where flooding of urban areas, roads, small streams, and washes is possible.

  • Limited Risk (Yellow Zone): Southern regions of Puerto Rico face a risk of ponding of water on roadways and poorly drained areas.

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