Heavy rains cause flooding across Puerto Rico

Associated Press
This NOAA satellite image taken Thursday, May 8, 2014, at 01:45 a.m. EDT shows a frontal system that is giving showers and Thunderstorms to the Puerto Rico area. The rest of the Caribbean is under fair skies. (AP Photo/Weather Underground)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Heavy rains caused widespread flooding across Puerto Rico on Thursday as a cluster of thunderstorms pounded the U.S. territory.

The National Weather Service said up to three inches (eight centimeters) of rain was falling per hour in the San Juan metropolitan area as thunderstorms moved eastward across the island.

Government officials said the rains caused a landslide in the northern town of Vega Alta and cut off access to about 20 families in the area.

Flooded highways and roads caused major traffic jams in the capital and nearby areas.

Meteorologists said the rain was expected to last through early Sunday.