![]() Hurricane María's damage has been severe and lasting. In Toa Baja, part of the San Juan metropolitan area, families awaited rescue from their rooftops after the La Plata River filled its alluvial valley. ![]() Thirty rivers in Puerto Rico reached major flood stage, and 13 of those reached or exceeded record-flood stage. Over 48 hours, María dropped 380 to 500 millimeters (15 to 20 inches) of rain in most areas, with some spots receiving even higher amounts. Winds weren't the only destructive force María unleashed on Puerto Rico. Hurricane María destroyed Puerto Rico's radar, providing a low-end estimate to the storm's wind speeds over the island. Nexrad doppler radars, with their geometric panels (left), are designed to withstand wind gusts up to 116 knots (133 miles per hour). María destroyed what was still functioning in Puerto Rico's electrical grid after Irma, leaving all residents across the island completely without power. It severely damaged 95 percent of cell towers, cutting off nearly all cell phone communication. That radar was designed to withstand maximum winds of 116 knots (133 miles per hour), so this value provides a low-end estimate of the storm’s winds.Īs the eye of the storm tracked toward the west-northwest over Puerto Rico, the intense winds broke and uprooted trees, leaving most of those still standing without any leaves. The storm also destroyed the weather radar operated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Weather Service. When María reached the island, it was a Category 4 storm, although meteorologists have no land-based records of María's maximum winds because the storm damaged most of Puerto Rico's wind sensors. NASA Earth Observatory images based on a variety of satellite sensors, including NOAA/NASA's Suomi NPP satellite, which detects visible light at night, and Landsat and other high-resolution imagers that map terrain and roads. The storm left much of the island in the dark. Visit Stay Safe After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm for more tips on staying safe after a hurricane.Īfter you have read these tips, please review the other resources available on the CDC Hurricanes website.Satellite-based images of the density of nighttime lights across eastern Puerto Rico before (left) and after (right) Hurricane María, on September 27 and 28. Place generators outside at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent. Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning after the storm: Ensure your CO detector has working batteries.Avoid flooded areas: Take precautions before, during, and after a flood.In addition to preparing for a hurricane, it’s important to take steps to stay safe after a hurricane is over, for example: Preparing now can help keep you and your family safe. Power outages during and after a hurricane can prevent you from accessing information online when you most need it. Protect your pets: Ensure your pet’s safety before, during, and after a hurricane.ĬDC recommends that you print important documents (e.g., emergency phone numbers, insurance information) before a hurricane strikes.Protect older adults: Understand older adult health and medical concerns. ![]()
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