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Rip Current — North Central, Puerto Rico

February 19, 2026 · NOAA Storm Events record

Direct deaths
1
Direct injuries
3
Property damage
—
Area
North Central

Event narrative (NOAA)

A rip current incident occurred at Puerto Nuevo Beach in Vega Baja during the morning of February 19, 2026. Four individuals entered the water and were swept toward deeper waters by a strong rip current. Three individuals returned safely to shore, while one was carried offshore. Search efforts continued for more than a week; however, the individual was not recovered and was classified as missing and presumed dead. This fatality was attributed to hazardous marine conditions associated with a long-period northerly swell.

Other notable rip current events in Puerto Rico

Northeast · April 12, 20013 killedNorth Central · May 10, 20263 killedSan Juan And Vicinity · November 8, 20202 killedGuayama · December 31, 19982 killedArecibo · March 11, 19992 killedNortheast · September 18, 20202 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.

Rip Current — North Central, Puerto Rico, February 19, 2026 | DisasterAtlasUSA