List of wettest tropical cyclones by country
This is a list of wettest tropical cyclones by country, using all known available sources. Data is most complete for Australia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico, Taiwan, Micronesia's Yap and Chuuk, and the United States, with fragmentary data available for other countries. The French region of Réunion holds several world records for tropical cyclone and worldwide rainfall, due to the rough topography and its location in the Indian Ocean.
Below are the records for each country above.
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Christmas Island
is an Australian territory located in the Indian Ocean located at the summit of a submarine mountain, which rises steeply to a central plateau that is dominated by stands of rainforest. After rainfall and wind observations started on the island during 1972, only 13 tropical cyclones passed within of the territory between 1972 and 2005.| 1 | Dahlia 2017 | Christmas Island Airport | ||
| 2 | Gillian 2014 | Christmas Island Airport | ||
| 3 | Jacob 2007 | Christmas Island Airport | ||
| 4 | Cecily 1973 | |||
| 5 | Rosie 2008 | Christmas Island Airport | ||
| 6 | Norah 1974 | |||
| 7 | Denise 1975 |
Cocos Islands
The Cocos Islands are an Australian territory of 27 coral islands that are formed into two large coral atolls and cover an area of around of the Indian Ocean to the northwest of Perth, Australia. Rainfall observations started on the islands during 1907, while temperature, wind and other records started in 1952. Between 1952 and 2005 27 tropical cyclones caused storm force wind gusts of over on the islands, while only four caused hurricane-force gusts of over.| 1 | 11U 2013 | Cocos Island Airport | ||
| 2 | Pedro 1989 | |||
| 3 | Walter 2001 | |||
| 4 | Adeline-Juliet 2005 | |||
| 5 | Deidre-Dalida 1973 | |||
| 6 | Bruce 2013 | Cocos Island Airport | ||
| 7 | Kate 2014 | Cocos Island Airport | ||
| 8 | Norah 1974 | |||
| 9 | Annie 1973 | |||
| 10 | Anggrek 2010 | Cocos Island Airport |
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Bangladesh has been the scene of the greatest tropical cyclone casualties in recent times. The country is quite flat and generally lies near sea level.Belize
This country has terrain mainly across its southern sections, with elevations up to about. The highest reported rainfall in what was formerly British Honduras occurred during Hurricane Keith in 2000 when of rain fell in a 24‑hour period at Phillip Goodson International Airport in Belize City. Equally heavy rains could have fallen during Hurricane Hattie of 1961 and Hurricane Fifi of 1974.Cambodia
Canada
Tropical cyclones are usually in transition to extratropical cyclones by the time they reach Atlantic Canada, though occasionally they retain their tropical status. No tropical cyclone has ever hit Canada's Pacific coast.China
China is a mountainous country, which leads to rapid dissipation of cyclones that move inland as well as significant amounts of rain from those dissipating cyclones. Typhoon Nina caused the collapse of two huge reservoirs and ten smaller dams when fell in Henan during a 24‑hour period, which is the record for Mainland China. Typhoon Sam of the 1999 Pacific typhoon season became the wettest known tropical cyclone to impact Hong Kong since records began in 1884, breaking a 73‑year‑old record. Precipitation associated with tropical cyclones and their remains can bring snow to Tibet. An early October 2004 tropical depression brought daily precipitation of of liquid equivalent precipitation to Che-Ku county in the form of heavy snow, which was a new October daily precipitation record for both rain and snow. This led to a loss of 340,000 kg of food, 230,000 kg of forage grass, and 263 livestock in the snowstorm.Mainland
Hong Kong
Costa Rica
| 1 | 920.0 | 36.22 | Cesar 1996 | Alto de Tinamaste | |
| 2 | 487.4 | 19.19 | Nate 2017 | Maritima | |
| 3 | 466.6 | 18.37 | Mitch 1998 | Jaco | |
| 4 | 376.4 | 14.82 | Alma 2008 | Quepos | |
| 5 | 331.5 | 13.05 | Gert 1993 | Unknown | |
| 6 | 308.0 | 12.11 | Otto 2016 | Miravalles Volcano |
Cuba
of October 1963 drifted across Cuba for four days, leading to extreme rainfall across the mountainous island country. During the heaviest 24‑hour period of rainfall, of rain fell at Santiago de Cuba. Total amounts of over 4 days and over 5 days produced staggering loss of life in Cuba, where over 2000 perished.Dominica
The islands of the eastern Caribbean are constantly threatened by tropical storms and hurricanes, mainly between August and October. Dominica is a rugged island, with spots of elevation as high as nearly. As Hurricane Jeanne moved through the region, of rain fell during the 24‑hour period ending on the morning of September 15, 2004.Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic, has some of the highest terrain surrounding the Caribbean Sea, with Pico Duarte peaking at above sea level. Most of the tropical cyclone rainfall totals on the list below are 24‑hour maxima, which likely underrepresent the storm total.El Salvador
| 1 | 1513 | 59.57 | Twelve E | Huizucar, La Libertad | |
| 2 | 1.017 | 40.03 | Amanda 2020 | ||
| 3 | 861 | 33.90 | Mitch 1998 | ||
| 4 | 766 | 30.16 | Stan 2005 | ||
| 5 | 676 | 26.61 | Paul 1982 | ||
| 6 | 672 | 26.46 | Agatha 2010 | ||
| 7 | 603 | 23.74 | Matthew 2010 |
Fiji
from the volcanic islands of Fiji has led to significant rainfall during tropical cyclone passages, which occur roughly once a year.France
French Polynesia
Guadeloupe
Hurricane Marilyn moved directly across the island in mid-September 1995, bringing the highest known rainfall totals to the island from a tropical cyclone.Martinique
Martinique is a mountainous island at the fringe of the eastern Caribbean Sea.New Caledonia
Réunion Island
The mountainous island of Réunion has experienced several of the highest rainfall totals on record from tropical cyclones and holds the rainfall world records for 12, 24, 48, 72 hours, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten days as a result. The 12 and 24 hourly rainfall records were set at Foc-Foc by Cyclone Denise in 1966, while an Unnamed Tropical Cyclone between April 8–10, 1958 set the record for 48 hours at Aurere. Tropical Cyclone Gamede between February 24–28, 2007 came close to beating the records for 12, 24 and 48 hours before setting the records for three, four, five, six, seven, eight and nine days that were held by Tropical Cyclone Hyacinthe 1980. Hyacinthe 1980 currently holds the world records for ten and fifteen days with rainfall totals of and respectively recorded at Commerson Crater.| 1 | Hyacinthe 1980 | Commerson | ||
| 2 | Gamede 2007 | Commerson | ||
| 3 | Diwa 2006 | Grand-Ilet | ||
| 4 | Denise 1966 | Foc-Foc | ||
| 5 | Dina 2002 | Bellecombe | ||
| 6 | Gael 2009 | Commerson | ||
| 7 | Florine 1981 | Foc-Foc | ||
| 8 | Bejisa 2013 | Cilaos | ||
| 9 | Gretelle 1997 | Commerson | ||
| 10 | Fame 2008 | Grand-Ilet |
Saint Martin
| 1 | Lenny 1999 | Gendarmerie | ||
| 2 | Jose 1999 | Point Blanche | ||
| 3 | Otto 2010 | Charlotte Amalie | ||
| 4 | Earl 2010 | Grand Case | ||
| 6 | Marilyn 1995 |
Wallis and Futuna
Guatemala
in May 2010 became the second-wettest tropical cyclone in the nation's history when it slowly developed while remaining nearly stationary to the southwest of Guatemala, before turning northeast and dissipating across inland Central America.| 1 | 600 | 23.62 | Mitch 1998 | Central Sierra de las Minas | |
| 2 | 565.6 | 22.62 | Agatha 2010 | Mazatenango | |
| 3 | ~250 | ~9.84 | Stan 2005 | ||
| 4 | ~200 | ~7.87 | Adrian 2005 | ||
| 5 | 184.6 | 7.27 | Francelia 1969 |
Haiti
Haiti that makes up three-eighths of Hispaniola, is a mountainous country that has experienced some of the most powerful hurricanes on record, including Hurricane David. Its three mountain ranges have peaks as high as 8793 feet/2680 meters above sea level.Honduras
Swan Island
| 1 | 362.7 | 14.28 | Alma 1966 | ||
| 2 | 228.9 | 9.01 | Debbie 1965 | ||
| 3 | 220.0 | 8.66 | Ella 1970 | ||
| 4 | 178.6 | 7.03 | Laurie 1969 | ||
| 5 | 167.1 | 6.58 | Isbell 1964 | ||
| 6 | 105.2 | 4.14 | Beulah 1967 | ||
| 7 | 98.8 | 3.89 | Carla 1961 | ||
| 8 | 90.7 | 3.57 | Francelia 1969 | ||
| 9 | 87.1 | 3.43 | Hattie 1961 | ||
| 10 | 80.5 | 3.17 | Fox 1952 |
India
India can be struck by cyclones that form in the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea.Indonesia
The precursor tropical disturbance of Tropical Cyclone Inigo in April 2003 dropped heavy rainfall in eastern Indonesia. The rainfall caused flash flooding and mudslides, primarily in Flores but also on West Timor and Sumba. In some locations, the depth of the floodwaters reached. The Oessao River in West Timor exceeded its banks, which flooded seven villages. In Kupang in West Timor, the system destroyed hundreds of homes and large fields of corn, bean, and rice crop. Heavy damage was reported near Ende, where flooding and mudslides destroyed 20 houses and destroyed the roads connecting to East Flores. The city airport was flooded with one meter of water, preventing aerial transportation and which left the city temporarily isolated. In East Flores Regency in eastern Flores Island, the system left 75 destroyed houses, along with 77 severely damaged and a further 56 receiving light damage.| 1 | 223 | 8.78 | Inigo 2003 | Larantuka, Flores |
Iran
| 1 | 74 mm | 2.91 inches | Gonu 2007 | Chabahar |
Jamaica
This mountainous island country of Jamaica can get lashed with rainfall by slow-moving tropical cyclones in the western Caribbean Sea. Its interior, the Blue Mountains, reach a height of above sea level.Japan
The mountainous island archipelago is constantly struck by typhoons recurving out of the tropics, which are normally in extratropical transition as they pass through Japan. Typhoon Namtheun of the 2004 Pacific typhoon season holds the national 24-hour precipitation record with observed in Kisawa village, surpassing the previous record of set during Typhoon Fran in 1976.Okinawa
Ryukyu Islands
caused of rain to fall at Naze on August 29–30, 2002. Typhoon Aere dropped of rain in the 65‑hour period ending at 1400 UTC on August 25, 2004 at Ishigakihima. Typhoon Agnes in August 1957 dropped of rainfall on Marcus Island. In 1972, Typhoon Rita dumped on Okinoerabu Shima.Johnston Atoll
Tropical cyclones occasionally threaten this central Pacific island. Hurricane Celeste of 1972 brought to the isle around August 19.Korea
The Korean Peninsula experiences typhoons regularly. Tropical cyclones which impact southern China also lead to, on average, five heavy rainfall events per year across the Korean peninsula.North Korea
Very heavy rains fell across Tongchon and Kosong counties during Typhoon Rusa in 2002, where up to of precipitation fell in a 5- to 10-hour period.South Korea
| 1 | >1,500 | >59.05 | Nakri 2014 | Mount Halla, Jeju Island | |
| 2 | 1250.5 | 49.23 | Chan-hom 2015 | Mount Halla, Jeju Island | |
| 3 | 898.0 | 35.35 | Rusa 2002 | Gangneung | |
| 4 | 710.0 | 28.00 | Agnes 1981 | ||
| 5 | 660.4 | 26.00 | Gladys 1991 | ||
| 6 | 634.0 | 24.96 | Muifa 2011 | Eorimok | |
| 7 | 590.0 | 23.23 | Nari 2007 | Jeju | |
| 8 | 491.0 | 19.33 | Saomai 2000 | ||
| 9 | 374.0 | 14.72 | Meari 2011 | Boeun | |
| 10 | 332.5 | 13.09 | Megi 2004 | Wando |
Madagascar
The north end of the island, known as the Tsaratanana Massif region, contains terrain with elevations up to 9417 feet/2880 meters.Malaysia
| 1 | 220 | 8.66 | Jelawat/Domeng 2006 | Kampung Bundu |
Mauritius
| 1 | Dina 2002 | Pierrefonds | - | ||
| 2 | Hollanda 1994 | Mare-aux-Vacoas | - | ||
| 3 | Davina 1999 | Arnaud | - | ||
| 3 | 202.8 | 7.98 | Hennie 2005 | Sans-Souci | |
| 4 | 192.8 | 7.59 | Dumile 2013 | Arnaud | |
| 5 | 58.8 | 2.31 | Crystal 2002 | Providence |
Marshall Islands
Mexico
of 2005 drifted over the northeast portion of the Yucatán peninsula for a couple of days, dropping significant rains. A report of was reported by the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional in Mexico, which is the wettest known 24-hour rainfall amount ever measured in Mexico. Second on the list is from Tropical Storm Frances in 1998, which accumulated up to of rain at Independencia in southern Chiapas. Below is a list of the highest known storm total rainfall amounts from individual tropical cyclones across Mexico. Most of the rainfall information was provided by the Mexico's National Weather Service, Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, which is a part of the National Water Commission, Comisión Nacional del Agua.Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk
Elevations of the islands surrounding Chuuk lagoon reach a height of about. Typhoon Chataan led to excessive rainfall on this island from June 23 – July 3, 2002, when a total of fell. During the time frame when Chataan was declared a tropical cyclone from July 1–3, fell, with falling on the 2nd alone at the international airport.Kosrae
Pohnpei State
The state is mountainous island lies in the tropical northwest Pacific Ocean.Pohnpei State
| 1 | Dolphin 2015 | Pohnpei | ||
| 2 | Axel 1992 | |||
| 3 | Haishen 2015 | Pohnpei |
Yap State
The wettest known tropical cyclone for the state was Ruby in 1982, which drifted in the island's vicinity for several days during its initial development phase.Mozambique
The elevation of the country increases to the west, with mountains on its highest plateau reaching nearly.| 1 | 600 | 24.00 | Idai 2019 | Chimoio | |
| 2 | 502 | 19.76 | Eline 2000 | Levubu | |
| 3 | 281 | 11.06 | Delfina 2003 | ||
| 4 | 200 | 7.87 | Jokwe 2008 | Nampula | |
| 5 | 190 | 7.50 | Japhet 2003 |
Myanmar
| 1 | Nargis 2008 | |||
| 2 | T.D. No. 2 2007 | |||
| 3 | Komen 2015 |
Nepal
Some of the highest elevations on the planet lie in Nepal. Eight out of fourteen highest peaks in the world lie in the Nepalese Himalaya including the highest peak of the World, Mt. Everest. During a tropical depression that affected the Indian Subcontinent in 2004, of rain fell at Kathmandu airport in the 24‑hour period ending at 1200 UTC on October 7.Netherlands Antilles
Saba
St. Eustatius
Saint Martin/Sint Maarten
This hilly island is partially owned by France and partially claimed by the Netherlands.New Zealand
Most tropical cyclones which pass near New Zealand are in extratropical transition or have become extratropical, which can enhance their heavy rainfall threat.| 1 | Hilda 1990 | North Egmont Visitor Centre | ||
| 2 | Bola 1988 | Glenross station | ||
| 3 | Rewa 1994 | Collier Creek | ||
| 4 | Fergus 1996 | The Pinnacles | ||
| 5 | Delilah 1989 | Puhipuhi | ||
| 6 | Dinah 1967 | Mangahoe | ||
| 7 | Beti 1996 | The Pinnacles | ||
| 8 | Giselle 1968 | Leatham | ||
| 9 | Ivy 2004 | The Pinnacles | ||
| 10 | Wilma 2011 | Northland |
Nicaragua
Niue
During the passage of Tropical Cyclone Heta in January 2004, the Niue Meteorological Station reported a record 24-hour rainfall of.| 1 | Heta 2004 | Niue Meteorological Station |
Oman
| 1 | Mekunu 2018 | Salalah | ||
| 2 | Gonu 2007 | |||
| 3 | Phet 2010 | JabalHilm | ||
| 4 | Masirah Cyclone 1977 | Salalah | ||
| 5 | T.S. 02A | Dhofar | ||
| 6 | Muscat Cyclone 1890 | Muscat | ||
| 7 | Oman Cyclone 2002 | Qairoon | ||
| 8 | Ashobaa 2015 | Masirah Island | ||
| 9 | Salalah Cyclone 1963 | Salalah | ||
| 10 | Salalah Cyclone 1959 | Salalah |
Pakistan
Tropical cyclones for the Arabian Sea usually affect Pakistan. Tropical cyclones from the Bay of Bengal can affect Pakistan, though they usually weaken by the time they reach the Pakistani coastline.| 1 | 370 | 14.57 | Phet | Gwadar | |
| 2 | 285 | 11.22 | Cyclone | Keti Bandar | |
| 3 | 245 | 9.64 | BOB 03 | Karachi | |
| 4 | 191 | 7.51 | BOB 06 | Karachi | |
| 5 | 145 | 5.71 | Onil | Thatta | |
| 6 | 110 | 3.94 | Yemyin | Karachi | |
| 7 | 43 | 1.69 | BOB 04 | Karachi | |
| 8 | 18 | 0.70 | BOB 03 | Karachi |
Palau
Palau consists of a string of islands that is rugged and surrounds a lagoon. Elevations up to exist within the island group.| 1 | Marie 1976 | Koror | - | ||
| 2 | Nathan 1993 | Nekken Forestry | - | ||
| 3 | Ruby 1982 | Koror | - | ||
| 4 | Mike 1990 | Koror | - | ||
| 5 | 121.7 | 4.79 | Dianmu 2004 | Koror | |
| 6 | 84.3 | 3.32 | Bopha 2012 | Koror | |
| 7 | 47.8 | 1.88 | Ewiniar 2006 | Koror |
Panama
Inflow to the south of Hurricane Mitch brought impressive rainfalls to the Panama. Veledero de Tole recorded of rainfall between October 22 and 31, 1998.Philippines
This Philippines island archipelago is fairly mountainous, with the highest terrain found in Luzon.Samoa
Singapore
of December 20, 2001 was the only known storm to ever hit the island state. It dropped of rainfall.Solomon Islands
| 1 | >2100 | >82.68 | Namu 1986 | Mount Popomanaseu, Guadalcanal | |
| 2 | >1000 | >39.37 | Ita 2014 | Gold Ridge mine | |
| 3 | Pam 2015 | Lata, Santa Cruz Island | - | ||
| 4 | Angela 1966 | Guadalcanal | - | ||
| 5 | Raquel 2015 | Munda, Western Province | - |
South Africa
in February 2000 dropped significant rains on portions of South Africa. The highest amount noted was at Thohoyandou.Spain
The only tropical cyclone to reach mainland Europe was 2005's Hurricane Vince. It dropped of rain on the plain near Cordoba.Sri Lanka
A tropical depression in early October 2004 led to heavy rains across Sri Lanka. The maximum was measured at Galle where fell in the 24‑hour period ending at 0600 UTC on the 2nd.St. Brandon, South Indian Ocean
of New Year's Eve/Day of 2003/2004 passed about west-northwest of the island. Rainfall over the 24‑hour period of closest approach was.St. Kitts and Nevis
Taiwan
The mountainous island of Taiwan experiences an average of 1.8 tropical cyclone landfalls each year. Due to its rugged topography, Taiwan sees extreme rains from tropical cyclones, particularly in its central mountain range.Thailand
Tropical cyclones occasionally cross the Malay Peninsula from the northwest Pacific into the Bay of Bengal.| 1 | Zeke 1991 | Khlong Yai | ||
| 2 | Tilda 1962 | At Somat | ||
| 3 | Vae 1952 | Chantaburi | ||
| 4 | Ira 1990 | Lop Buri | ||
| 5 | Ed 1990 | Takua Pa | ||
| 6 | 18W | Muang district | ||
| 7 | Fred 1991 | Khon Kaen | ||
| 8 | Brian 1989 | Takua Pa | ||
| 9 | Muifa 2004 | Prachaup Khirikhan | ||
| 10 | Nell 1990 | Ko Samui |
Tonga
| 1 | 200.0 | 7.87 | Waka 2001 | ||
| 2 | 167.0 | 6.57 | Unnamed 1949 | Nuku‘alofa | |
| 3 | 153.0 | 6.02 | Lin 2009 | Niuafo'ou | |
| 4 | 152.2 | 6.00 | Mick 2010 | Fua'amotu | |
| 5 | 149.0 | 5.87 | Rene 2011 | Fua'amotu | |
| 6 | 120.0 | 4.72 | Isaac 1982 | Nuku‘alofa | |
| 7 | 120.0 | 4.72 | Jasmine 2012 | Tongatapu | |
| 8 | 97.7 | 3.85 | Vaianu 2006 | Fuaʻamotu | |
| 9 | 44.8 | 1.76 | Cyril 2011 | Vava'u | |
| 10 | 37.5 | 1.48 | Wilma 2010 | Fua'amotu |
United Kingdom
Anguilla
| 1 | 490.0 | 19.29 | Lenny 1999 | ||
| 2 | 380.0 | 14.96 | Jose 1999 | ||
| 3 | 250.0 | 9.84 | Klaus 1990 | ||
| 4 | 171.5 | 6.75 | Alice 1954 |
Bermuda
Bermuda has not historically received overwhelming rains out of tropical cyclones. This could be because of the rapid pace storms usually pass the island and the lack of mountains on the island.Cayman Islands
United States
| 1 | 1538.7 | 60.58 | Harvey 2017 | Nederland, Texas | |
| 2 | 1321 | 52.02 | Lane 2018 | Mountainview, Hawaii | |
| 3 | 1321 | 52.00 | Hiki 1950 | Kanalohuluhulu Ranger Station, Hawaii | |
| 4 | 1219 | 48.00 | Amelia 1978 | Medina, Texas | |
| 5 | 1148 | 45.20 | Easy 1950 | Yankeetown, Florida | |
| 6 | 1143 | 45.00 | Claudette 1979 | Alvin, Texas | |
| 7 | 1096 | 43.15 | Imelda 2019 | Jefferson County, Texas | |
| 8 | 1058.7 | 41.68 | T. D. #15 1970 | Jayuya, Puerto Rico | |
| 9 | 1033 | 40.68 | Allison 2001 | Northwest Jefferson County, Texas | |
| 10 | 985 | 38.76 | Paul 2000 | Kapapala Ranch 36, Hawaii |
Vanuatu
| 1 | Bola 1988 | Lamap | ||
| 2 | Dani 1999 | Bauerfield Airport | ||
| 3 | Vania 2011 | Aneityum | ||
| 4 | Eric 1985 | Surukavian, Pentecost | ||
| 5 | Sarah 1994 | Santo-Pekoa International Airport | ||
| 6 | Ivy 2004 | Bauerfield Airport | ||
| 7 | Anne 1988 | Santo-Pekoa International Airport | ||
| 8 | Nigel 1985 | Santo-Pekoa International Airport | ||
| 9 | Zuman 1998 | Santo-Pekoa International Airport | ||
| 10 | Esau 1992 | Santo-Pekoa International Airport |
Venezuela
A few tropical cyclones have skimmed the northern coast of South America over recent decades. Tropical Storm Bret dropped of rain in ten hours at Guanare, Portuguesa, Venezuela.Vietnam
| 1 | Peipah 2007 | Nam Đông | ||
| 2 | Tropical Depression 06W 2007 | Hương Khê | ||
| 3 | September 2009 Vietnam tropical depression | Da Nang | ||
| 4 | Ketsana 2009 | Quảng Nam | ||
| 5 | Lekima 2007 | |||
| 6 | Aere 2016 | Đồng Hới, Quảng Bình | ||
| 7 | Ira 1990 | |||
| 8 | Mirinae 2009 | Vân Canh | ||
| 9 | Xangsane 2006 | |||
| 10 | Tropical Depression 2009 | Quảng Ngãi Province |