Puerto Rico Environment & Hazard Risk
0 counties rated high or very high risk. 6,638 storm events since 1996, #49 among states.
- Expected yearly loss
- $3.19B
- $972 per person
- Storm events since 1996
- 6,638
- Most often flash flood
- Superfund sites
- 26
- 104 toxic release facilities
Risk by county
FEMA National Risk Index rating, highest risk first
| County | Overall risk | Top hazard | Flood policies | Flood claims paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjuntas Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | $87.17K |
| Aguada Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $457K |
| Aguadilla Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Aguas Buenas Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Aibonito Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Añasco Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $785K |
| Arecibo Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $11.48M |
| Arroyo Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Barceloneta Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Barranquitas Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Bayamón Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $3.47M |
| Cabo Rojo Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Caguas Municipio | Not rated | Drought | - | - |
| Camuy Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $26.28K |
| Canóvanas Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Carolina Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $4.27M |
| Cataño Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Cayey Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Ceiba Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Ciales Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Cidra Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Coamo Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | $52.24K |
| Comerío Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Corozal Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Culebra Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $37.48K |
| Dorado Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Fajardo Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $1.57M |
| Florida Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Guánica Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $310K |
| Guayama Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $1.38M |
| Guayanilla Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $1.93M |
| Guaynabo Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $2.77M |
| Gurabo Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Hatillo Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Hormigueros Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Humacao Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $3.97M |
| Isabela Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Jayuya Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Juana Díaz Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Juncos Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Lajas Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $107K |
| Lares Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Las Marías Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Las Piedras Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | $98.21K |
| Loíza Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $1.19M |
| Luquillo Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Manatí Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $317K |
| Maricao Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Maunabo Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $88.45K |
| Mayagüez Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Moca Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Morovis Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Naguabo Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Naranjito Municipio | Not rated | Drought | - | - |
| Orocovis Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Patillas Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $604K |
| Peñuelas Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Ponce Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $3.06M |
| Quebradillas Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Rincón Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Río Grande Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Sabana Grande Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Salinas Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| San Germán Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| San Juan Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| San Lorenzo Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| San Sebastián Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Santa Isabel Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Toa Alta Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Toa Baja Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $17.93M |
| Trujillo Alto Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Utuado Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Vega Alta Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Vega Baja Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Vieques Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Villalba Municipio | Not rated | Earthquake | - | - |
| Yabucoa Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | - |
| Yauco Municipio | Not rated | Coastal flooding | - | $1.51M |
Costliest hazards
Expected annual loss in Puerto Rico, all counties combined
- Hurricane$1.48B/yr
- Earthquake$803M/yr
- Landslide$291M/yr
- Tsunami$249M/yr
- Lightning$43.73M/yr
- Coastal flooding$3.01M/yr
- Tornado$1.9M/yr
- Hail$109K/yr
- Strong wind$44.05K/yr
- Drought$38.29K/yr
Storm events by type
Since 1996: 290 deaths, $21.75B in property and crop damage
- Flash Flood2,038 · 71 deaths
- Flood1,671 · 9 deaths
- Heavy Rain769 · 13 deaths
- Debris Flow629 · 3 deaths
- Thunderstorm Wind340 · 1 death
- Excessive Heat184
- Rip Current151 · 151 deaths
- Tropical Storm129 · 4 deaths
- Coastal Flood102 · 3 deaths
- Funnel Cloud76
- Hail73
- High Surf67 · 26 deaths
Events per year
Most damaging storms
Since 2017, ranked by deaths, injuries and damage
- Flash Flood09/20/2017
Toa Baja, Toa Baja County
9 deaths, $2.5B damage
What happened
Rio de la Plata went out of its banks producing catastrophic flooding across Toa Baja municipality. Nine people were confirmed dead due to flooding water associated with the river.
- Flash Flood09/20/2017
Anasco, Anasco County
4 deaths, $750M damage
What happened
Heavy rain resulted in flash flooding across the municipality of Anasco. Rio Anasco and all its tributaries went out of its banks. Four people were confirmed dead due to the flooding waters associated with the river.
- Flash Flood09/20/2017
Utuado, Utuado County
3 deaths, $750M damage
What happened
Catastrophic flash flooding occurred along Rio Grande de Arecibo in the municipality of Utuado. Serious mudslides occurred across the municipality, were many bridges were totally destroyed, leaving most communities were isolated from getting food, gas and goods supplies. Three sisters were confirmed dead at San Miguel sector when a mudslide destroy their house.
- Flash Flood09/20/2017
Aguada, Aguada County
2 deaths, $750M damage
What happened
Rio Culebrinas was out of its banks, flooding most of the Coloso area and its surrounding areas. Two police officer died when a surge of water swept then when Rio Culebrinas went out of its banks.
- Flash Flood09/20/2017
Vega Alta, Vega Alta County
1 death, $750M damage
What happened
Rio de la Plata went out of its banks. One person was confirmed dead when he was trying to cross road PR-690 in bicycle.
- Flash Flood09/20/2017
Arecibo, Arecibo County
1 death, $750M damage
What happened
Rio Grande de Arecibo went out of its banks. One person was found dead, when he drowned due the flooding water of Rio Grande de Arecibo.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
5 hurricane landfalls since 1851, 3 of them major (Category 3+)
- Hurricane Fiona (2022)09/14/2022 · Landfall: PR · 931 mbCategory 4138 mph peak
- Tropical Storm Karen (2019)09/22/2019 · Landfall: PR · 1,003 mbTropical storm46 mph peak
- Hurricane Maria (2017)09/16/2017 · Landfall: PR · 908 mbCategory 5173 mph peak
- Hurricane Irene (2011)08/21/2011 · Landfall: VI, PR, NC, NJ, NY · 942 mbCategory 3121 mph peak
- Tropical Storm Olga (2007)12/10/2007 · Landfall: PR · 1,003 mbTropical storm58 mph peak
- Hurricane Noel (2007)10/24/2007 · 965 mbCategory 186 mph peak
- Hurricane Jeanne (2004)09/14/2004 · Landfall: PR, FL · 950 mbCategory 3121 mph peak
- Hurricane Georges (1998)09/15/1998 · Landfall: PR, FL, MS · 937 mbCategory 4155 mph peak
- Hurricane Hortense (1996)09/03/1996 · Landfall: PR · 935 mbCategory 4138 mph peak
- Hurricane Hugo (1989)09/10/1989 · Landfall: VI, PR, SC · 918 mbCategory 5161 mph peak
Flood insurance
National Flood Insurance Program policies and claims
0 homes in Puerto Rico have flood insurance.
- Hurricane Georges$14.26M · 2,391 claims
- Hurricane Maria$9.33M · 281 claims
- Hurricane Hortense$7.2M · 771 claims
- Flooding$5.42M · 889 claims
- Tropical Storm Jeanne$2.02M · 324 claims
- Hurricane Fiona$1.93M · 58 claims
Drinking water
404 community water systems serve about 3,295,853 people
Since 2021, 269 systems reported 426 health-based violations. 234 systems had a violation of any kind still open at last report. These had the most:
- MetropolitanoServes 1,084,637 · Surface water · Local government43 health violations+14 monitoring or reporting
- Ponce UrbanoServes 113,972 · Surface water · Local government17 health violations+23 monitoring or reporting
- Luquillo UrbanoServes 9,001 · Surface water · Local government12 health violations+8 monitoring or reporting
- Guzman ArribaServes 2,662 · Surface water · Local government11 health violations+5 monitoring or reporting
- El YunqueServes 68,114 · Surface water · Local government10 health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
- Comerio UrbanoServes 14,912 · Surface water · Local government9 health violations+3 monitoring or reporting
- Cotto LaurelServes 12,979 · Surface water · Local government9 health violations
- MorovisServes 996 · Surface water · Local government8 health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
Select a county above to see every system that serves it.
Pollution sites
26 Superfund sites and 104 toxic release facilities
Superfund sites
- Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training AreaFinal NPL Site, Vieques
- Cabo Rojo Ground Water ContaminationFinal NPL Site, Cabo Rojo
- Cidra Groundwater ContaminationFinal NPL Site, Cidra
- Dorado Ground Water ContaminationFinal NPL Site, Dorado
- Fibers Public Supply WellsFinal NPL Site, Jobos
- Juncos LandfillFinal NPL Site, Juncos
- Maunabo Area Ground Water ContaminationFinal NPL Site, Maunabo
- Ochoa Fertilizer co.Final NPL Site, Guanica
Largest toxic releases
- Aes Puerto Rico LP875,128 lbs, Guayama
- ECW Landfill Corp.575,000 lbs, Ponce
- Prepa-South Coast Power Plant256,955 lbs, Guayanilla
- Fmc Agricultural Caribe Industries Ltd119,594 lbs, Manati
- Ecoelectrica LP118,188 lbs, Penuelas
- Prepa - Aguirre Power Generati on Complex104,599 lbs, Aguirre
- Caribbean Can Manufacturing Co LLC91,439 lbs, Cidra
- Prepa - San Juan Steam Plant63,073 lbs, Puerto Nuevo
Facilities in Puerto Rico reported 2.7 million lbs of toxic releases in 2024, 1.3 million lbs of it into the air.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the biggest natural hazard in Puerto Rico?
- By expected annual loss, hurricane costs the most in Puerto Rico ($1.48B a year), according to FEMA's National Risk Index.
- How many storms hit Puerto Rico each year?
- NOAA recorded 6,638 storm events in Puerto Rico since 1996, about 214 a year. The most common type is flash flood.
- How many hurricanes have hit Puerto Rico?
- Puerto Rico has had 5 hurricane landfalls since 1851, including 3 major hurricanes of Category 3 or stronger.
- How many Superfund sites are in Puerto Rico?
- Puerto Rico has 26 Superfund sites on or deleted from EPA's National Priorities List.
Source: FEMA, NOAA, EPA · Last updated 08/01/2026 · Storm counts include events in forecast zones that touch each county. This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.