Meteorological Aspects of the Mameyes Tragedy in Puerto Rico, October 6-7, 1985

摘要

Severe flooding and landslides in Puerto Rico during October 6-7 took about 180 lives and caused extensive damage to public and private property. Twenty-four hour rainfall exceeded 22 inches within a large maximum over the interior hills of the south central coast. Rivers course to a narrow coastal plain and produce hydrographs with early and sharply pronounced crests. Meteorological aspects of the event can be described best in the context that this was not only a well-developed wave but on its way to becoming Tropical Storm Isabel. Besides orographic influences, mechanisms behind the development of such heavy rains are presented.