Natural disasters in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is another country that is greatly affected by natural disasters. Some previously recorded natural disasters in this area are the:

1899 Hurricane San Ciriaco

Hurricane San Ciriaco, also known as the 1899 Puerto Rico Hurricane, San Ciriaco Hurricane, or 1899 Hurricane San Ciriaco, was an intense and long-lived Atlantic Cape Verde-type hurricane which crossed Puerto Rico over the two day period August 8 to August 9, 1899. Many deaths occurred as a result, due to flooding. The cyclone stayed at tropical storm strength or higher for 28 days, which makes it the longest duration Atlantic hurricane on record and the second-longest anywhere in the world. With an estimated ACE of 73.6, it is the tropical storm with the highest ever ACE recorded in the Atlantic basin. The extra-tropical cyclone turned southeastward where, on August 26, it became a tropical storm again. Like most of the rest of its lifetime, it drifted, first to the northwest then to the east. It strengthened as it moved eastward, and on September 3, as it was moving through the Azores, it again became a hurricane. The intensification didn't last long, and the hurricane became extra-tropical for the final time on the 4th. It dissipated that day while racing across the northeastern Atlantic. Estimates of storm-related fatalities range from 3,100 to 3,400, with millions of dollars in crop damage in Puerto Rico. North Carolina had considerable tobacco and corn damage from the longevity of the strong winds and rain. Another hurricane struck Puerto Rico on August 22. Overall, the island was swamped by 28 days of rain, contributing to the overall disaster.

1918 Puerto Rico earthquake

The Puerto Rico earthquake of 1918 was a major earthquake that struck the island of Puerto Rico at 10:14am on October 11, 1918. The magnitude for the earthquake has been reported at around 7.5; however, that might not be an exact number. The mainshock epicenter occurred offshore about 10 miles (5 km) from the northwestern coast of the island, somewhere along the Puerto Rico Trench. The earthquake triggered a tsunami with waves measured at approximately 5.5 meters (20 feet) that lashed the west coast of the island and is remembered as one of the worst natural disasters that have struck the island. The losses resulting from the disaster were approximately 116 casualties and $4 million in property. As a result of the earthquake, a tsunami lashed the west coast of the island, probably 4-7 minutes after the main shock. The highest waves were measured at 5.5 to 6 meters (20 feet) and ended up destroying several coastside villages. It has been estimated that 40 people were drowned as a direct result of the tsunami. Immediately after, several aftershocks were reported after the main earthquake. On October 24 and November 12, two strong aftershocks were reported in the island. However, no damages were reported as a result.

If you are in this area and need to contact the emergency services you can call 911