Trough to bring heavy rains, flooding in coming days.

Officials warned that conditions could become dangerous in a short period of time, especially in flood-prone communities.

By THE STAR STAFF

Government officials urged residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution Sunday as a weather system is expected to bring persistent rainfall and risk of flooding across much of Puerto Rico over the next several days.

The Puerto Rico Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (NMEAD by its acronym in Spanish) and the Department of Public Safety (DSP by it initials in Spanish) said a tropical trough is affecting the island, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) in San Juan to issue a flood watch for all of Puerto Rico from 10 a.m. Monday through 8 a.m. Wednesday.

According to the NWS, rainfall accumulations of one to three inches are expected, with higher amounts possible in isolated areas. Officials warned that conditions could become dangerous in a short period of time, especially in flood-prone communities.

NMEAD Commissioner Ángel Jiménez Colón said the weather pattern is expected to sustain periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms, creating a situation that could quickly shift from manageable to hazardous. He cautioned the public not to underestimate the event, stressing that the anticipated rainfall is not brief or isolated and could worsen within hours, leading to emergencies in vulnerable areas.

Jiménez emphasized that preparation and responsible decision-making are critical, urging residents to act before conditions deteriorate. He noted that prevention remains the most effective way to protect lives and property.

Authorities warned of multiple hazards associated with the system, including urban flooding, flooding of small streams, isolated flash floods, sudden rises in river levels, and the potential for landslides in susceptible terrain. The eastern, northern, and interior regions of Puerto Rico are at greater risk due to already saturated soils, which increase runoff and flood potential.