The National Weather Service (NWS) in San Juan issued three flood warnings on Friday covering 18 municipalities in western, northwestern and metropolitan Puerto Rico, due to heavy rains from thunderstorms that could bring up to 2 additional inches of precipitation. The most recent warning includes Aguada, Añasco, Lares, Las Marías, Maricao, Moca, Rincón and San Sebastián, and remains in effect until 5:15 p.m. At 2:10 p.m., Doppler radar estimated 1 to 1.5 inches of rain had fallen in that area, where minor flooding was occurring or could begin shortly.
Another 1 to 2 inches are expected. The agency warned some road crossings over waterways could become impassable, particularly in mountainous areas. Communities that could flood include Hato Arriba, Luyando, Aceitunas, La Playa, Juncal, Espino and Stella.
Another warning remains in effect until 4:00 p.m. for Bayamón, Dorado, Guaynabo, Toa Alta, Toa Baja and Trujillo Alto, as well as parts of northeast Caguas and southwest San Juan. Between 1 and 1.5 inches had accumulated there, with 1 to 2 more inches expected. Communities at risk include Sabana Seca, Pájaros, Candelaria, Levittown, Candelaria Arenas, Campanilla, San José, Galateo, Ingenio and Río Lajas.
Hormigueros and Mayagüez remain under warning until 3:30 p.m., with radar estimating up to 1.8 inches of rain and 1 to 2 more expected, possibly causing urban and small-stream flooding in low-lying, poorly drained areas and water on roads. The NWS urged drivers not to cross flooded roads and to seek alternate routes, and asked people to report flooding to emergency services when safe.