Guajataca Dam Fails in Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria
People are evacuating after a dam in western Puerto Rico has failed.
We just received new video of the dam breach coming out of Lake Guajataca, PR.
Posted by WeatherNation on Friday, September 22, 2017
The National Weather Service in San Juan called it an extremely dangerous situation and that everyone surrounding the Guajataca River should evacuate immediately.
All Areas surrounding the Guajataca River should evacuate NOW. Their lives are in DANGER! Please SHARE! #prwx
— NWS San Juan (@NWSSanJuan) September 22, 2017
A Flash Flood Emergency was issued earlier in the day as officials began monitoring the possibly dam failure.
215PM FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for A Dam Failure in Isabela Municipality y Quebradillas Municipality in Puerto Rico… #prwx pic.twitter.com/L3utOjxspR
— NWS San Juan (@NWSSanJuan) September 22, 2017
The National Weather Service in Miami is servind as backup for NWS San Juan as their communications are limited. Here’s how meteorologist Tony Reynes describes the area near the dam.
@NWSMiami describes the area near #GuajatacaDam in Puerto Rico- failure of the dam could impact 70000 people. Miami backing up @NWSSanJuan pic.twitter.com/Fxh0Yx4aWb
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) September 22, 2017
Dam operators reported the Guajataca Dam causing flash flooding downstream on the Rio Guajataca.
This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. Busses are currently evacuating people from the area as quickly as they can #prwx
— NWS San Juan (@NWSSanJuan) September 22, 2017
ALERT: A dam failure at Guajataca Lake, PR. Residents along the river, which runs north, are being urged to evacuate per @NWSSanJuan #PRwx pic.twitter.com/i01hb8I8V8
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) September 22, 2017