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High Surf — North Central, Puerto Rico

February 9, 2026 · NOAA Storm Events record

Direct deaths
2
Direct injuries
1
Property damage
—
Area
North Central

Event narrative (NOAA)

High surf impacted the Cueva del Indio area in Arecibo during the afternoon of February 9, 2026. Three individuals were on coastal rocks when a large breaking wave swept them into the ocean. One person returned safely to shore, while the other two were carried offshore. After several days of search operations, the bodies of the two individuals were recovered. The incident was caused by dangerous wave action associated with a long-period northerly swell.

Other notable high surf events in Puerto Rico

San Juan And Vicinity · October 26, 20042 killedFajardo Rio Grande · April 21, 19971 killedNortheast · March 10, 20011 killedNortheast · July 4, 20011 killedNorth Central · November 9, 20021 killedVieques · December 27, 20091 killed

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.

High Surf — North Central, Puerto Rico, February 9, 2026 | DisasterAtlasUSA