[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTCA82 TJSJ 261408
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-262215-

TROPICAL STORM ERIKA LOCAL STATEMENT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 6A
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR  AL052015
1008 AM AST WED AUG 26 2015

THIS PRODUCT COVERS PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

**ERIKA CONTINUES AS A TROPICAL STORM**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - NONE

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - ABOUT 620 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF SAN JUAN PR OR ABOUT 560
      MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF SAINT THOMAS VI
    - 16.2N 56.8W
    - STORM INTENSITY 45 MPH
    - MOVEMENT WEST OR 280 DEGREES AT 17 MPH

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

TROPICAL STORM ERIKA CONTINUES AS A MINIMAL TROPICAL STORM...BUT
IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN STRENGTH GRADUALLY AT IT APPROACHES THE
FORECAST AREA. WINDS WILL BEGIN TO INCREASE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND
THEN ON THURSDAY AS IT ENTERS THE FORECAST AREA. THE TRACK AND THE
STRONGEST WINDS TO THE NORTHEAST CONTINUE TO SWEEP JUST NORTH OF
PUERTO RICO AND ACROSS THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS THURSDAY NIGHT.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
PROTECT AGAINST 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: PROTECT AGAINST DANGEROUS WIND HAVING POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT
  IMPACTS ACROSS MOST OF PUERTO RICO AND ALL OF THE U.S. VIRGIN
  ISLANDS. POTENTIAL IMPACTS IN THIS AREA INCLUDE: - SOME DAMAGE
  TO ROOFING AND SIDING MATERIALS, ALONG WITH DAMAGE TO PORCHES,
  AWNINGS, CARPORTS, AND SHEDS. A FEW BUILDINGS EXPERIENCING
  WINDOW, DOOR, AND GARAGE DOOR FAILURES. MOBILE HOMES DAMAGED,
  ESPECIALLY IF UNANCHORED. UNSECURED LIGHTWEIGHT OBJECTS BECOME
  DANGEROUS PROJECTILES. - SEVERAL LARGE TREES SNAPPED OR
  UPROOTED, BUT WITH GREATER NUMBERS IN PLACES WHERE TREES ARE
  SHALLOW ROOTED. SEVERAL FENCES AND ROADWAY SIGNS BLOWN OVER. -
  SOME ROADS IMPASSABLE FROM LARGE DEBRIS, AND MORE WITHIN URBAN
  OR HEAVILY WOODED PLACES. A FEW BRIDGES, CAUSEWAYS, AND ACCESS
  ROUTES IMPASSABLE. - SCATTERED POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS OUTAGES,
  BUT MORE PREVALENT IN AREAS WITH ABOVE GROUND LINES.

* TORNADOES:
PROTECT AGAINST 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 U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

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

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:  NOW IS THE TIME TO BRING TO
  COMPLETION ALL PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY IN
  ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN.

OUTSIDE PREPARATIONS SHOULD BE WRAPPED UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE
WEATHER CONDITIONS COMPLETELY DETERIORATE. ANY REMAINING EVACUATIONS
AND RELOCATIONS SHOULD BE EXPEDITED BEFORE THE ONSET OF TROPICAL
STORM FORCE WIND.

IF YOU ARE RELOCATING TO SAFE SHELTER, LEAVE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. IF
HEADING TO A COMMUNITY SHELTER, BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE SHELTER
RULES BEFORE ARRIVAL, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS OR OWN A
PET. TAKE ESSENTIAL ITEMS WITH YOU FROM YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT.
CHECK THE LATEST WEATHER FORECAST BEFORE DEPARTING.

FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SHELTER MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF
LIFE. ALWAYS HEED THE ADVICE OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMPLY WITH ANY
ORDERS THAT ARE ISSUED. REMEMBER, DURING THE STORM 9 1 1 EMERGENCY
SERVICES MAY NOT BE ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESPOND IF CONDITIONS ARE
UNSAFE. THIS SHOULD BE A BIG FACTOR IN YOUR DECISION MAKING.

CHECK-IN WITH YOUR EMERGENCY POINTS OF CONTACT AMONG FAMILY, FRIENDS,
AND WORKMATES. INFORM THEM OF YOUR STATUS AND WELL-BEING. LET THEM
KNOW HOW YOU INTEND TO RIDE OUT THE STORM AND WHEN YOU PLAN TO
CHECK-IN AGAIN.

KEEP CELL PHONES WELL CHARGED AND HANDY. ALSO, CELL PHONE CHARGERS
FOR AUTOMOBILES CAN BE HELPFUL AFTER THE STORM. LOCATE YOUR CHARGERS
AND KEEP THEM WITH YOUR CELL PHONE.

IN EMERGENCIES IT IS BEST TO REMAIN CALM. STAY INFORMED AND FOCUSED
ON THE SITUATION AT HAND. EXERCISE PATIENCE WITH THOSE YOU ENCOUNTER.
BE A GOOD SAMARITAN AND HELPFUL TO OTHERS.

REMEMBER, MANY BRIDGES AND CAUSEWAYS WILL BE CLOSED ONCE HIGHER
WINDS ARRIVE. ALSO, IF YOU ENCOUNTER WATER COVERING THE ROAD, SEEK
AN ALTERNATE ROUTE. ALWAYS OBEY OFFICIAL ROAD SIGNS FOR CLOSURES
AND DETOURS.

IF YOU ARE A VISITOR AND STILL IN THE AREA, LISTEN FOR THE NAME OF
THE CITY OR TOWN IN WHICH YOU ARE STAYING WITHIN LOCAL NEWS UPDATES.
BE SURE YOU KNOW THE NAME OF THE COUNTY OR PARISH IN WHICH IT
RESIDES. PAY ATTENTION FOR INSTRUCTIONS FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

CLOSELY MONITOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS FOR
OFFICIAL STORM INFORMATION. BE READY TO ADAPT TO 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 11 AM AST, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS
WARRANT.

$$
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