FEMADR-1798-PRMajor disasterDeclared October 1, 2008
DR-1798-PR: Puerto Rico Severe Storms and Flooding
FEMA made a major disaster declaration for Puerto Rico (DR-1798-PR) on October 1, 2008 for the incident of September 21, 2008 to October 3, 2008; it covers 26 designated areas. FEMA had approved $30.0 million for 20,110 households through the Individuals and Households Program (as of October 1, 2026) and obligated $24.2 million in Public Assistance (as of May 17, 2026).
The declaration
- Declaration
- DR-1798-PR (also written FEMA-1798-DR)
- Type
- Major disaster declaration
- State
- Puerto Rico
- Incident
- Severe Storm: Severe Storms and Flooding
- Incident period
- September 21, 2008 to October 3, 2008
- Declared
- October 1, 2008
- Programs declared
- Individuals and Households, Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation
- FEMA region
- 2
- Place in the year
- the only major disaster declaration for Puerto Rico in 2008
- Status
- closed out on August 17, 2021
- Registration deadline (individual help)
- January 15, 2009
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). Data as of September 29, 2026.
Which areas are covered, and for what?
| Designated area | Individuals and Households | Public Assistance | Hazard Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjuntas (Municipio) | — | Yes | Yes |
| Arroyo (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cabo Rojo (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Guanica (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Guayama (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Guayanilla (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gurabo (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Humacao (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Juncos (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lajas (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Las Marias (Municipio) | — | Yes | Yes |
| Las Piedras (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maunabo (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Naguabo (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Patillas (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Penuelas (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ponce (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sabana Grande (Municipio) | — | Yes | Yes |
| Salinas (Municipio) | Yes | — | Yes |
| San German (Municipio) | — | Yes | Yes |
| San Lorenzo (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Santa Isabel (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Utuado (Municipio) | — | Yes | Yes |
| Villalba (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Yabucoa (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Yauco (Municipio) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
An area can be added to a declaration after the first day, or have a program added: this table is FEMA's current list.
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). Data as of September 29, 2026.
How much has FEMA approved?
20,110households approved for help (IHP)
$30.0 millionIndividuals and Households Program approved
$12.6 millionof it for housing
$17.4 millionof it for other needs
$24.2 millionPublic Assistance obligated
$4.8 millionHazard Mitigation Grant Program obligated
Individual assistance figures as of October 1, 2026, public assistance as of May 17, 2026. FEMA updates both as applications are decided.
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2); FEMA, OpenFEMA FEMA Web Disaster Summaries (v1). Data as of September 29, 2026.
FEMA's page for this declaration
FEMA's own page for this declaration is fema.gov/disaster/1798. AreaZine is not FEMA and cannot answer questions about an application. Registration for individual help closed on January 15, 2009.