Hurricane Cristobal

Satellite image of the pre-Cristobal disturbance over Puerto Rico and Hispaniola on August 22

As Cristobal's parent wave moved over Puerto Rico, it engaged with an abnormally moist air mass to produce torrential rains totaling more than 10 in (250 mm).[16] The highest rainfall totals were enhanced by orographic lift over mountainous terrain. A rain gauge near Tibes recorded a peak total of 13.21 in (336 mm), the majority of which fell on August 24. Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport near San Juan reported 5.52 in (140 mm) of precipitation. In total, 19 rivers reached minor flood stage and five reached moderate flood stage;[16] some of them inundated adjacent roadways and urban areas.[17] The heavy rains triggered multiple landslides, at least one of which forced a family to evacuate.[18] The floods cut electricity to nearly 17,000 customers and left 7,000 without clean drinking water after putting some 18 filtration plants out of service.[18] In some cases, however, the rains proved beneficial, refilling reservoirs after an abnormally dry summer.[19] Only the northwest corner of Puerto Rico escaped hydrological issues. Gusty winds caused minor damage to trees and tree branches in the territory. Moderate to heavy rainfall also affected the U.S. Virgin Islands, amounting to 5.27 in (134 mm) on Saint Thomas and 2.22 in (56 mm) on Saint Croix.[16]

The island of Hispaniola also received damaging rains from the slow-moving storm.[1] La Romana, Dominican Republic, recorded 5.04 in (128 mm) of rain in 24 hours on August 23 and 24, the result being destructive flooding.[20] The floods isolated 23 towns from the outside world and damaged or destroyed more than 800 dwellings, especially in eastern and northeastern parts of the nation. Just over 4,100 individuals were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge with friends and family.[21] In Santo Domingo Province, three people required rescue from their stricken car after trying to cross the swollen Isabela River.[22] Two people were killed in the Dominican Republic,[1] one of them after trying to drive across a flooded river in the Hato Mayor Province.[23] In neighboring Haiti, flooding totally destroyed four homes and heavily damaged 28 others, with a total of about 640 families left temporarily homeless.[24] At least two people in the country were swept away by rushing waters,[20][25] and many others sustained injuries.[26]

Shortly after the storm's genesis, tropical storm warnings were issued for the central and southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The advisories were discontinued by August 25. Heavy rain fell over the region, reaching 10.9 in (280 mm) on the island of Providenciales, where one person drowned in the ensuing floods.[1] Floodwaters on North Caicos ran 5 ft (1.5 m) deep, blocking access to some communities.[27] Governor Peter Beckingham reported "extensive damage to peoples' property and possessions" throughout the overseas territory.[26]

A tropical storm watch was issued for Bermuda on August 25, and ultimately discontinued about three days later.[1] Two cruise ships left Bermuda early to avoid the storm, and another two postponed their scheduled stops there.[28][29] The threat of the storm, combined with a lack of passengers due to cruise ship diversions, resulted in the suspension of ferry service.[29] Cristobal ultimately passed well to the northwest of the island, producing breezy conditions and heightened surf.[30]

The offshore hurricane lashed the East Coast of the United States with high swells and rip currents, prompting widespread swimming restrictions and bans.[31][32] A teenaged male Virginia resident died in a drowning incident at Ocean City, Maryland, less than an hour after lifeguards went off-duty.[33] In a 24-hour period, the Ocean City Beach Patrol rescued about 120 people caught in rip currents.[34] Just off the coast, the rough seas capsized a 17 ft (5.2 m) boat, forcing the Coast Guard to rescue its three occupants.[33] Another young male drowned at Sandy Hook, New Jersey; a wave reportedly knocked him down in shallow water before a rip current pulled the inexperienced swimmer farther out.[35] Dangerous swimming conditions extended north to New England beaches,[36] leading to numerous lifeguard rescues.[37]

In southern Iceland, the extratropical remnants of Cristobal produced gusty winds and heavy rainfall, leading to extensive flooding in the capital city of Reykjavík. The fire department there responded to 37 calls for flooded buildings.[38] Reykjavík Airport and Keflavík International Airport recorded wind gusts to 58 mph (93 km/h) and 62 mph (100 km/h), respectively.[39][40] The adverse conditions impeded aerial surveillance of the ongoing volcanic eruptions at Bárðarbunga.[41]