A tropical wave emerged from the coast of Africa on August 25th, which moved westward near the Cape Verde Islands on the 26th.  The system organized as it crossed the Atlantic, developing a low pressure area by the 28th. The system became well-enough organized to be classified a tropical storm during the afternoon of September 1st.  A tropical storm watch was issued for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico at 5 pm September 2nd, followed by a tropical storm warning at 11 am on September 3rd. The system moved generally westward, and experienced moderate vertical wind shear through most of its existence as a tropical cyclone.  As the surface circulation left most of the associated thunderstorms behind, the system tracked south of due west due to the low-level flow pattern Erika was embedded within. By the 3rd of September, Erika weakened into a tropical depression at 5 pm on September 3rd, and soon devolved into a remnant low during the evening.  The remnant disturbance led to heavy rains over the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico,  which caused flooding in many communities. Minor to moderate flooding was reported in Puerto Rico.The core of the heavy rain fell along the Eastern third of the island.
The hardest hit basin was the Rio Grande de Loiza with a large percentage of its flow coming from the Rio Gurabo one of its larger ���tributaries���. Minor to moderate flooding was reported along the Rio Gurabo, which crested at 23.52 feet ��� 5 �� feet above its flood stage of 18 feet. The Rio Grande de Loiza, which flows from south to north, had a basin average rainfall of 4 to 5 inches with localized rainfall reports of 6 to over 7 inches. This led to a significant rise at the Carraizo Dam, where a number of gates had to be opened to maintain some balance.

Flash Flood in LAS PIEDRAS, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 06:43:00 to 05-SEP-09 09:00:00 (AST-4)
Location: LAS PIEDRAS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Roads and homes were flooded at Las Estancias, Barrio Pueblito in the municipality of Las Piedras.

Debris Flow in PONCE AND VICINITY, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 21:15:00 to 05-SEP-09 21:15:00 (AST-4)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A mudslide was reported along Highway 10 near the bridge at the intersection with road 503, between Adjuntas and Ponce municipalities.

Debris Flow in EASTERN INTERIOR, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 06:42:00 to 05-SEP-09 06:42:00 (AST-4)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A mudslide was reported at Barrio Sobaco, Road 7784 in the municipality of Cidra. People were trapped in the mudslide, but were rescued without any injuries.

Flash Flood in TRUJILLO ALTO, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 06:58:00 to 05-SEP-09 13:10:00 (AST-4)
Location: TRUJILLO ALTO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

USGS gage at Rio Grande de Loiza below the dam rose to 29.27 feet, above the flood stage of 22 feet.

Flash Flood in GURABO, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 09:23:00 to 05-SEP-09 10:50:00 (AST-4)
Location: GURABO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

USGS River Gurabo sensor indicated the river level rose to 23.52 feet, above the 18 feet flood stage.

Flash Flood in CAGUAS, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 06:52:00 to 05-SEP-09 09:33:00 (AST-4)
Location: CAGUAS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

USGS gage at Rio Grande de Loiza at Caguas rose to 18.74 feet, above the flood stage of 16 feet.

Flash Flood in FAJARDO, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 09:26:00 to 05-SEP-09 10:58:00 (AST-4)
Location: FAJARDO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

USGS river gage at Rio Fajardo, Paraiso, rose to 9 feet, exceeding the flood stage of 8 feet.

Debris Flow in EASTERN INTERIOR, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 09:49:00 to 05-SEP-09 09:49:00 (AST-4)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A mudslide was reported at Road 181, Santa Rita sector in the municipality of Gurabo.

Flash Flood in GUANICA, PUERTO RICO
From 04-SEP-09 20:53:00 to 04-SEP-09 21:45:00 (AST-4)
Location: GUANICA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Houses were flooded at Maria Antonia and Bo.Ensenada in the municipality of Guanica.

Flash Flood in SANTA ISABEL, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 06:43:00 to 05-SEP-09 09:00:00 (AST-4)
Location: SANTA ISABEL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A house was reported flooded at Bo. Playita Cortada, Road #6, in the municipality of Santa Isabel.

Heavy Rain in CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 07:35:00 to 05-SEP-09 08:35:00 (AST-4)
Location: CAROLINA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Urban flooding was reported along roads 853, 856, and 857. The Roberto Clemente and Severo Quinones avenues were also reported flooded and impassable.

Flash Flood in FAJARDO, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 11:35:00 to 05-SEP-09 12:35:00 (AST-4)
Location: FAJARDO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A home was reported flooded in the Alturas de San Pedro neighborhood.

Heavy Rain in NAGUABO, PUERTO RICO
From 04-SEP-09 09:27:00 to 04-SEP-09 09:27:00 (AST-4)
Location: NAGUABO
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Broadcast media reported road 31 in Naguabo was flooded.

Flash Flood in SAN LORENZO, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 06:10:00 to 05-SEP-09 08:19:00 (AST-4)
Location: SAN LORENZO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

USGS Rio Grande de Loiza gage, near Highway 183 at San Lorenzo rose to 19.10 feet exceeding the flood stage of 14 feet. River Caguitas in San Lorenzo was also reported out of its banks.

Flash Flood in CAGUAS, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 06:17:00 to 05-SEP-09 09:00:00 (AST-4)
Location: CAGUAS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Roads and houses were flooded at Urb. La Plaza, Road Ramon Santini in the municipality of Caguas.

Flash Flood in CAGUAS, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 07:25:00 to 05-SEP-09 09:25:00 (AST-4)
Location: CAGUAS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Caguas City HIMA Hospital parking lot was reported flooded by nearby river.

Debris Flow in EASTERN INTERIOR, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 08:55:00 to 05-SEP-09 08:55:00 (AST-4)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A mudslide was reported at Bo Jaguar, El Salto sector,  Road 181 Km 6.6 in the municipality of San Lorenzo.

Flash Flood in SAN LORENZO, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 06:40:00 to 05-SEP-09 07:39:00 (AST-4)
Location: SAN LORENZO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

USGS river gage at Rio Cayaguas, Cerro Gordo, San Lorenzo, rose to 15.64 feet, exceeding the 15 feet flood stage.

Flash Flood in FAJARDO, PUERTO RICO
From 06-SEP-09 19:50:00 to 06-SEP-09 20:50:00 (AST-4)
Location: FAJARDO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

River Rio Fajardo was reported out of its banks at the intersection of Highway 3 with road 194. The USGS river gage at Paraiso near Fajardo indicated the river rose to 8.82 feet, exceeding its flood stage of 8 feet.

Flash Flood in CAGUAS, PUERTO RICO
From 05-SEP-09 04:24:00 to 05-SEP-09 06:45:00 (AST-4)
Location: CAGUAS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

USGS gage at Rio Caguitas Villa Blanca in Caguas rose to 16.43 feet exceeding the flood stage of 15 feet.