NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Sabana Hoyos, PR
Every tropical system within 75 miles since 1851 and every tornado within 25 miles since 1950.
Data: NOAA NHC HURDAT2 and NOAA SPC tornado and hail reports, through 2025 · Updated
60 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Sabana Hoyos, Puerto Rico since 1851, 28 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Ernesto in 2024. Since 1950, 5 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 0 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 28
- Tropical storms
- 32
- Tornadoes
- 5
- EF3 or stronger
- 0
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
no recorded deaths
What the records show for Sabana Hoyos
The strongest storm to pass near Sabana Hoyos was Irma in 2017, a Category 5 hurricane with 173 mph winds when its centre passed 61 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was Maria in 2017, whose centre crossed the city. The record near Sabana Hoyos begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Ernesto in 2024, a tropical storm 57 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1930s, with 6 systems, 4 of them at hurricane strength. Of the 60 systems, 13 have come since 2000. Of the 86 Puerto Rico cities on this site, 52% have more hurricanes within 75 miles than Sabana Hoyos. The strongest of the 5 tornadoes within 25 miles was an EF1 on May 1, 2022; its path came within 9 miles. Of the 5, none had a path within 5 miles of the city centre, and 4 have come since 2000. The most recent tornado was on May 2, 2024. Of the 86 Puerto Rico cities, 72% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Sabana Hoyos. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 2 times since 2010, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 86 Puerto Rico cities, 60% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Sabana Hoyos.
Compare Sabana Hoyos's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Sabana Hoyos
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ErnestoAug 14 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 2 |
| 2022 | FionaSep 18 | 42 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2021 | FredAug 11 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2020 | LauraAug 22 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2017 | MariaSep 20 | overhead | Category 3 (121 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2017 | IrmaSep 7 | 61 mi | Category 5 (173 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2015 | ErikaAug 28 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2014 | BerthaAug 2 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2011 | IreneAug 22 | 14 mi | Category 1 (78 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2007 | OlgaDec 11 | 1 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2004 | JeanneSep 15 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2001 | DeanAug 22 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2000 | DebbyAug 22 | 51 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1998 | GeorgesSep 22 | 18 mi | Category 2 (105 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1996 | HortenseSep 10 | 34 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1995 | MarilynSep 16 | 67 mi | Category 2 (109 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1989 | HugoSep 18 | 43 mi | Category 3 (123 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1984 | KlausNov 7 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1981 | GertSep 8 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1979 | FredericSep 4 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1975 | EloiseSep 16 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1956 | BetsyAug 12 | 3 mi | Category 1 (94 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1955 | HildaSep 12 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1953 | DollySep 8 | 24 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1950 | BakerAug 23 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormSep 3 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1940 | Unnamed 1940 stormAug 6 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1938 | Unnamed 1938 stormAug 9 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1933 | Unnamed 1933 stormJul 26 | 62 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1932 | Unnamed 1932 stormSep 27 | 14 mi | Category 3 (112 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1931 | Unnamed 1931 stormSep 11 | 7 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1931 | Unnamed 1931 stormAug 17 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1930 | Unnamed 1930 stormSep 2 | 67 mi | Category 3 (115 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormSep 13 | 8 mi | Category 4 (144 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 4 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1926 | Unnamed 1926 stormJul 23 | 47 mi | Category 2 (104 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormAug 19 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1919 | Unnamed 1919 stormSep 3 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormAug 22 | 12 mi | Category 1 (85 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormJul 13 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1910 | Unnamed 1910 stormSep 7 | 58 mi | Category 2 (98 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1909 | Unnamed 1909 stormAug 22 | 65 mi | Category 1 (92 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1908 | Unnamed 1908 stormSep 10 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 12 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormJul 7 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1900 | Unnamed 1900 stormSep 1 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormAug 8 | 11 mi | Category 4 (130 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1898 | Unnamed 1898 stormOct 28 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 1 | 28 mi | Category 2 (98 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 17 | 5 mi | Category 2 (107 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1891 | Unnamed 1891 stormAug 20 | 70 mi | Category 2 (104 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1887 | Unnamed 1887 stormOct 10 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1879 | Unnamed 1879 stormAug 14 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormNov 28 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1876 | Unnamed 1876 stormSep 13 | 16 mi | Category 1 (94 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1871 | Unnamed 1871 stormAug 22 | 70 mi | Category 3 (115 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1867 | Unnamed 1867 stormOct 30 | 8 mi | Category 1 (91 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormSep 24 | 55 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormSep 5 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 18 | 70 mi | Category 2 (104 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Sabana Hoyos: a hurricane's worst winds sit within a few dozen miles of its centre, and inland cities are usually past that.
Tornadoes within 25 miles of Sabana Hoyos
By decade
- 2020s2
- 2010s2
- 1950s1
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2022 | EF1 | 9 mi | 0.35 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 2, 2024 | EF0 | 7 mi | 0.48 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Nov 18, 2016 | EF0 | 8 mi | 0.62 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 13, 2012 | EF0 | 19 mi | 0.02 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 28, 1959 | F0 | 13 mi | 0.2 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 5 of 5, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Sabana Hoyos
The Storm Prediction Center has 2 hail reports within 10 miles of Sabana Hoyos, all from July 2, 2010. All were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest was 1.75 inches (golf ball size).
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Sabana Hoyos
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Dos Bocas, PR RQ, 6 miles southwest of Sabana Hoyos at 200 feet. August is the warmest, with an average high of 91°F and low of 71°F; February is the coolest, at 86°F and 64°F. May is the wettest at 10.2 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 3.5 inches; the year adds up to 78.2 inches over 117 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 57% of the year's precipitation (44.8 of 78.2 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 60 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (27); a normal September there has highs of 91°F and 9.7 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 104 days a year, almost all from February to December. A night below freezing comes less than once a year on average. That 78.2 inches is more than at 18 of the 21 Puerto Rico stations used on this site (86%). Barceloneta, 5 miles northeast, has its own station (Manati 2 E, PR RQ): 62.1 inches a year, 16.1 less than here, and an August average high of 87°F against 91°F.
Sea level at the San Juan tide gauge, 33 miles from Sabana Hoyos, has risen 0.85 ± 0.06 inches per decade from 1962 to 2025, NOAA's linear trend; at that pace it is 8.5 inches in a hundred years. That is faster than at 45 of the 144 U.S. gauges with a NOAA trend.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 85 | 65 | 3.6 | 7 |
| Feb | 86 | 64 | 3.5 | 6 |
| Mar | 86 | 64 | 4.8 | 8 |
| Apr | 88 | 67 | 6.8 | 9 |
| May | 89 | 69 | 10.2 | 13 |
| Jun | 91 | 70 | 5.8 | 9 |
| Jul | 91 | 71 | 5.4 | 9 |
| Aug | 91 | 71 | 8.1 | 12 |
| Sep | 91 | 70 | 9.7 | 12 |
| Oct | 90 | 70 | 8.5 | 12 |
| Nov | 87 | 69 | 7.3 | 11 |
| Dec | 86 | 66 | 4.5 | 8 |
| Year | 88 | 68 | 78.2 | 117 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Dos Bocas, PR RQ (200 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals. Normals describe the station; the farther a place is from it, and the bigger the difference in height, the more its weather can differ.
Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Sabana Hoyos
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 154 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Sabana Hoyos: 59 floods, 54 flash floods, 27 heavy rain events, 12 thunderstorm wind reports and 2 lightning strikes. They killed 8 people and injured 0, and the NWS estimated $753.9 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 45 mph, on July 6, 2010. September has had the most flash floods, 16 of 54. Of the 86 Puerto Rico cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 18 have had fewer than Sabana Hoyos.
November 7, 2011: flash flood 2 miles from the centre of Sabana Hoyos — 8 killed, $25,000 damage.
NWS: “A van with 10 inmates and 2 guards was overturned by a rush of water flowing down a dry gut. From the 12 passengers, 4 were rescued, 2 guards and 2 inmates, 8 bodies were recovered.”
September 20, 2017: flash flood 8 miles from the centre of Sabana Hoyos — $750.0 million damage.
September 20, 2017: flash flood 3 miles from the centre of Sabana Hoyos — $500,000 damage.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, events whose starting point is on record, 1996 to June 30, 2026. Damage is the NWS estimate in the dollars of the year, not insured losses, and NWS notes that some reports are unverified.
Flood insurance claims, disaster declarations and FEMA risk ratings
Arecibo Municipio, which includes Sabana Hoyos, has been named in 28 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1970, 18 of them major disasters (by incident: 13 hurricanes, 7 floods, 4 severe storms, 2 biological emergencies). The latest major disaster declaration was Hurricane Fiona, on September 21, 2022.
Claims: FEMA, OpenFEMA Dataset FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims – v3, summed over ZIP codes; payments in the dollars of each year, not adjusted for inflation. Declarations: Disaster Declarations Summaries – v2, by county. Retrieved October 25, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
What counts as a pass, the distances and the sources: how this storm history is built.