The May 2004 Caribbean floods were a flood event that took place in the Caribbean Islands, mainly Hispaniola and some parts of Northern Puerto Rico from May 18, 2004 to May 25, 2004. The storm caused significant rainfall, with over 9.7 inches of rain falling at the most in Haiti, and 10 inches falling at the most in the Dominican Republic. These floods were caused by over two weeks of persistent rain in the Caribbean area, which eventually caused the landslides that killed many people. The floods caused much damage in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with over 1,300 homes being destroyed and about 2,000 people being killed. Due to this destruction, nearly 15,000 people were displaced with nowhere to live. The area that felt the worst of the flooding was the town of Jimaní, near the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In fact, the destruction present at Jimaní was so bad that Dominican president Hipolito Mejia declared a national day of mourning after seeing the effects of the storm.
Meteorological history
A broad low pressure area developed over Central America on May 19, accompanied by heavy rainfall. The system drifted eastward into the Caribbean Sea, and by May 23 was located in the central Caribbean, producing rainfall across Jamaica, eastern Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Upper-level winds prevented tropical cyclogenesis of the system. However, the low had characteristics of a subtropical cyclone, with a closed atmospheric circulation and extensive convection extending to the northeast of the system. The interaction between the low and a high pressure area over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean produced winds of around across the region. The system moved slowly across the Greater Antilles. By early on May 24, the low was located south of Haiti and was interacting with a tropical wave. Later that day, the system moved over southwestern Haiti, crossing into the Bahamas by May 25. Later that day, the National Hurricane Center briefly noted the possibility of the system developing into a tropical cyclone, noting its well-defined circulation. Although there was a lack of convection near the center, there was a potential for the shear to diminish. However, by late on May 26, the system no longer had a chance for development after it began moving quickly to the northeast. By May 27, the system was located about 190 mi east of Bermuda, connected to a trough that extended to Hispaniola.
