Six municipalities under flood warning due to heavy rains
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for Bayamón, Cataño, Dorado, Guaynabo, San Juan and Toa Baja on Sunday afternoon as heavy showers from thunderstorms moved across the area.
File photoThe short version
- Primera Hora reported the National Weather Service in San Juan issued a flood warning for six municipalities until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday
- The warning covers Bayamón, Cataño, Dorado, Guaynabo, San Juan and Toa Baja according to Primera Hora
- Radar detected heavy rains at 12:49 p.m. with 1 to 2 inches already fallen and 1 to 2 more inches possible Primera Hora reports
- Metro Puerto Rico reported a separate flood warning for Mayagüez on Friday that remained in effect until 5:00 p.m.
Flood warning issued Sunday
The National Weather Service in San Juan issued a flood warning for six municipalities on Sunday afternoon due to heavy rains associated with thunderstorms, Primera Hora reported. The warning was in effect until 3:00 p.m. for Bayamón, Cataño, Dorado, Guaynabo, San Juan and Toa Baja.
According to the National Weather Service, the Doppler radar detected heavy rains at 12:49 p.m. and between 1 and 2 inches of rain had already fallen over the area. An additional 1 to 2 inches were possible, which could cause minor flooding in urban areas, low-lying spots and places with poor drainage, Primera Hora said. The agency urged drivers not to attempt to cross flooded roads and to seek alternate routes when they encounter standing water.
Safety message and forecast
The National Weather Service used the message “Vira y no te arriesgues” as a precaution against flooded roads, noting that many flood-related deaths occur inside vehicles, Primera Hora reported. Earlier in the day the agency had forecast variable conditions for Puerto Rico with passing showers in the morning and increased rain activity in the interior and northwest sectors during the afternoon.
Humidity moving over the region, along with instability in the upper levels of the atmosphere, was expected to favor the formation of showers and isolated thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service via Primera Hora. The weather pattern was influenced by a low-pressure system in the mid and upper levels of the atmosphere that increased instability.
Earlier warning for Mayagüez
A separate flood warning was issued for Mayagüez on Friday due to heavy rains associated with thunderstorms, Metro Puerto Rico reported. That warning remained in effect until 5:00 p.m.
The National Weather Service stated that at 3:02 p.m. the Doppler radar was detecting intense rains over the municipality where 1 to 2 inches had already accumulated. Up to 2 additional inches were possible, potentially bringing totals to 3 to 4 inches in the hardest-hit sectors. These conditions could lead to urban and small-stream flooding, especially in low-lying areas and those with deficient drainage systems, Metro Puerto Rico said. The agency also warned of water accumulations on roads and urged the public not to cross flooded roadways.
Where the sources differ
Both sources attribute their information to the National Weather Service in San Juan. Primera Hora reported a flood warning for six municipalities on Sunday with 1-2 inches already fallen and 1-2 more possible. Metro Puerto Rico reported an earlier and separate flood warning for Mayagüez on Friday with 1-2 inches accumulated and up to 2 more possible for totals of 3-4 inches. The sources agree on the safety message about not driving through flooded roads and that most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Primera Hora includes a multi-day forecast mentioning increased flood risk for Tuesday and Wednesday while Metro Puerto Rico does not.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether any flooding or road closures actually occurred during either warning. They provide no specific rainfall totals recorded after the warnings were issued, no information on emergency responses, and no details on impacts to traffic or property. The articles also do not indicate whether the Sunday warning was extended beyond 3:00 p.m.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Varios municipios bajo advertencia de inundaciones
- Reporting Varios municipios bajo advertencia de inundaciones
- Reporting Mayagüez bajo advertencia de inundaciones por fuertes lluvias
How we checked this
Primera Hora reported the Sunday flood warning for six municipalities and the broader weather pattern and forecast. Metro Puerto Rico reported the Friday flood warning for Mayagüez. All details on radar observations, expected rainfall amounts and safety messages rest on the National Weather Service as presented by each outlet.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.