[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTCA82 TJSJ 260428
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-261230-

TROPICAL STORM ERIKA LOCAL STATEMENT ADVISORY NUMBER 5
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR  AL052015
1228 AM AST WED AUG 26 2015

THIS PRODUCT COVERS PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR ALL OF PUERTO RICO AND
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A TROPICAL STORM WATCH HAS
  BEEN ISSUED FOR ALL OF PUERTO RICO AND U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN
  EFFECT FOR PUERTO RICO AND U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - ABOUT 780 MILES EAST OF SAN JUAN PR OR ABOUT 710 MILES
      EAST-SOUTHEAST OF SAINT THOMAS VI
    - 16.0N 54.4W
    - STORM INTENSITY 40 MPH
    - MOVEMENT WEST OR 280 DEGREES AT 18 MPH

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

TROPICAL STORM ERIKA IS MOVING WESTWARD AND WILL BE IN THE LOCAL
AREA ON THURSDAY.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* FLOODING RAIN:
PREPARE FOR DANGEROUS RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT
IMPACTS ACROSS PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. POTENTIAL
IMPACTS INCLUDE:
    - MODERATE RAINFALL FLOODING MAY PROMPT SEVERAL EVACUATIONS AND
      RESCUES.
    - RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES MAY QUICKLY BECOME SWOLLEN WITH SWIFTER
      CURRENTS AND OVERSPILL THEIR BANKS IN A FEW PLACES, ESPECIALLY
      IN USUALLY VULNERABLE SPOTS. SMALL STREAMS, CREEKS, CANALS,
      ARROYOS, AND DITCHES OVERFLOW.
    - FLOOD WATERS CAN ENTER SOME STRUCTURES OR WEAKEN FOUNDATIONS.
      SEVERAL PLACES MAY EXPERIENCE EXPANDED AREAS OF RAPID
      INUNDATION AT UNDERPASSES, LOW-LYING SPOTS, AND POOR DRAINAGE
      AREAS. SOME STREETS AND PARKING LOTS TAKE ON MOVING WATER AS
      STORM DRAINS AND RETENTION PONDS OVERFLOW. DRIVING CONDITIONS
      BECOME HAZARDOUS. SOME ROAD AND BRIDGE CLOSURES.

* WIND:
PREPARE FOR HAZARDOUS WIND HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED IMPACTS ACROSS
PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. POTENTIAL IMPACTS INCLUDE:
    - DAMAGE TO PORCHES, AWNINGS, CARPORTS, SHEDS, AND UNANCHORED
      MOBILE HOMES. UNSECURED LIGHTWEIGHT OBJECTS BLOWN ABOUT.
    - MANY LARGE TREE LIMBS BROKEN OFF. A FEW TREES SNAPPED OR
      UPROOTED, BUT WITH GREATER NUMBERS IN PLACES WHERE TREES ARE
      SHALLOW ROOTED. SOME FENCES AND ROADWAY SIGNS BLOWN OVER.
    - A FEW ROADS IMPASSABLE FROM DEBRIS, PARTICULARLY WITHIN URBAN
      OR HEAVILY WOODED PLACES. HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS ON
      BRIDGES AND OTHER ELEVATED ROADWAYS.
    - SCATTERED POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS OUTAGES.

* TORNADOES:
PREPARE FOR A TORNADO EVENT HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED IMPACTS ACROSS
PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. POTENTIAL IMPACTS INCLUDE:
    - THE OCCURRENCE OF ISOLATED TORNADOES CAN HINDER THE EXECUTION
      OF EMERGENCY PLANS DURING TROPICAL EVENTS.
    - A FEW PLACES MAY EXPERIENCE TORNADO DAMAGE, ALONG WITH POWER
      AND COMMUNICATIONS DISRUPTIONS.
    - LOCATIONS COULD REALIZE ROOFS PEELED OFF BUILDINGS, CHIMNEYS
      TOPPLED, MOBILE HOMES PUSHED OFF FOUNDATIONS OR OVERTURNED,
      LARGE TREE TOPS AND BRANCHES SNAPPED OFF, SHALLOW-ROOTED TREES
      KNOCKED OVER, MOVING VEHICLES BLOWN OFF ROADS, AND SMALL BOATS
      PULLED FROM MOORINGS.

* SURGE: LITTLE TO NO IMPACTS ARE ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME ACROSS
  PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:

WATCH/WARNING PHASE - IF YOU ARE EXCEPTIONALLY VULNERABLE TO WIND
OR WATER HAZARDS FROM TROPICAL SYSTEMS, CONSIDER VOLUNTARY
EVACUATION, ESPECIALLY IF BEING OFFICIALLY RECOMMENDED. RELOCATE
TO A PREDETERMINED SHELTER OR SAFE DESTINATION.

WATCH/WARNING PHASE - IF EVACUATING AWAY FROM THE AREA OR RELOCATING
TO A NEARBY SHELTER, LEAVE EARLY BEFORE WEATHER CONDITIONS BECOME
HAZARDOUS.

IMMINENT/ONGOING PHASE - DO NOT RETURN TO EVACUATED AREAS UNTIL
HAZARDOUS WINDS DIMINISH AND FLOOD WATERS ABATE.

RECOVERY PHASE - DO NOT RETURN TO EVACUATED AREAS UNTIL IT IS SAFE.
LISTEN FOR THE ALL-CLEAR SIGNAL FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

NOW IS THE TIME TO CHECK YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN AND TAKE NECESSARY
ACTIONS TO SECURE YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. DELIBERATE EFFORTS SHOULD
BE UNDERWAY TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. ENSURE THAT YOUR
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT IS STOCKED AND READY.

WHEN MAKING SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS DECISIONS, DO NOT FOCUS ON THE
EXACT FORECAST TRACK AS THERE ARE INHERENT FORECAST UNCERTAINTIES
WHICH MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

IF YOU LIVE IN A PLACE THAT IS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO HIGH WIND,
SUCH AS A MOBILE HOME, AN UPPER FLOOR OF A HIGH RISE BUILDING, OR ON
A BOAT, PLAN TO MOVE TO SAFE SHELTER. TAKE ENOUGH SUPPLIES FOR YOU
AND YOUR FAMILY FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

IF YOU LIVE IN A PLACE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO FLOODING, SUCH AS
NEAR THE OCEAN OR A LARGE INLAND LAKE, IN A LOW LYING OR POOR
DRAINAGE AREA, IN A VALLEY OR CANYON, OR NEAR AN ALREADY SWOLLEN
RIVER, PLAN TO MOVE TO SAFE SHELTER ON HIGHER GROUND

ALWAYS HEED THE ADVICE OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMPLY WITH ANY ORDERS
THAT ARE ISSUED. DO NOT NEEDLESSLY JEOPARDIZE YOUR LIFE OR THE LIVES
OF OTHERS.

WHEN SECURING YOUR PROPERTY, OUTSIDE PREPARATIONS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE CONDITIONS DETERIORATE. THE ONSET OF
STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN CAN CAUSE CERTAIN PREPAREDNESS
ACTIVITIES TO BECOME UNSAFE.

BE SURE TO LET FRIENDS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS KNOW OF YOUR
INTENTIONS AND WHEREABOUTS FOR SURVIVING THE STORM. FOR EMERGENCY
PURPOSES, HAVE SOMEONE LOCATED AWAY FROM THE THREATENED AREA SERVE AS
YOUR POINT OF CONTACT. SHARE VITAL CONTACT INFORMATION WITH OTHERS.
KEEP CELL PHONES HANDY AND WELL CHARGED.

BE A GOOD SAMARITAN AND CHECK ON THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE FULLY AWARE OF
THE SITUATION OR WHO ARE UNABLE TO MAKE PERSONAL PREPARATIONS.

VISITORS TO THE AREA SHOULD BECOME FAMILIAR WITH NEARBY SURROUNDINGS.
IF YOU ARE A VISITOR, KNOW THE NAME OF THE COUNTY OR PARISH IN WHICH
YOU ARE LOCATED AND WHERE IT IS RELATIVE TO CURRENT WATCHES AND
WARNINGS. IF STAYING AT A HOTEL, ASK THE MANAGEMENT STAFF ABOUT THEIR
ONSITE DISASTER PLAN. LISTEN FOR EVACUATION ORDERS, ESPECIALLY
PERTAINING TO AREA VISITORS.

CLOSELY MONITOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS FOR
OFFICIAL STORM INFORMATION. LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE
FORECAST.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- FOR INFORMATION ON APPROPRIATE PREPARATIONS SEE READY.GOV
- FOR INFORMATION ON CREATING AN EMERGENCY PLAN SEE GETAGAMEPLAN.ORG
- FOR ADDITIONAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION SEE REDCROSS.ORG

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

THE NEXT LOCAL STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN SAN JUAN PR AROUND 3 AM AST, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS
WARRANT.

$$
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