Flood Alert System Using High-Resolution Radar Rainfall Data: Methodology 1 2

Abstract

This chapter discusses the methods that were used to study the flood alert system using high-resolution radar rainfall data. The University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez has a research weather radar network and a rain gauge network developed by Luz Estella Torres-Molina for research work. The radar network provides information with higher spatial and temporal precision. The Río Guanajibo basin originates in the cordillera central of western Puerto Rico. It rises approximately 10 kilometers north-east of Sabana Grande at an elevation of 800 meters approximately. The topography of the area includes mountains, foothills and valleys. The Río Yaguez Basin is located in the west-central portion of Puerto Rico. It flows westerly into the Bay of Mayaguez. The soil map was provided by United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation service, Soil Survey Geographic Database for the Mayaguez, Lajas Valley, Arecibo and Ponce area. These were used in the conceptualization of the soils surface texture for the study area.