[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTCA82 TJSJ 280405
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-281215-

TROPICAL STORM ERIKA LOCAL STATEMENT ADVISORY NUMBER 13
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR  AL052015
1205 AM AST FRI AUG 28 2015

THIS PRODUCT COVERS PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

...ERIKA PASSING THROUGH U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO
TONIGHT...

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 130 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF SAN JUAN PR OR ABOUT 130
      MILES SOUTHEAST OF PONCE PR OR ABOUT 80 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST
      OF SAINT CROIX VI
    - 16.6N 65.3W
    - STORM INTENSITY 45 MPH
    - MOVEMENT WEST OR 270 DEGREES AT 17 MPH

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

TROPICAL STORM ERIKA IS SOUTHWEST OF SAINT CROIX AND HEADED TOWARD
PUERTO RICO. THE MOST INTENSE WINDS IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS WILL
BE EARLY TONIGHT AND WILL BE INCREASING THROUGH PUERTO RICO. SUSTAINED
STORM FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE GREATER THAN 40 MPH...WITH GUSTS
OF 60 MPH POSSIBLE OVERNIGHT. RAINFALL WILL BE INCREASING THROUGH MUCH
OF THE ISLANDS AND FLOODING...IN ADDITION TO THE WIND...IS STILL A
MAJOR CONCERN. TOTAL RAINFALL ESTIMATES FOR THE LOCAL ISLANDS STAND AT
4 TO 8 INCHES WITH UP TO 12 INCHES POSSIBLE. SIGNIFICANT RAINS FROM
TROPICAL STORM ERIKA WILL CONTINUE OVER PUERTO RICO DURING THE DAY
FRIDAY AND CONTINUE THE THREAT OF FLOODING.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
PROTECT AGAINST DANGEROUS RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE
SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ACROSS THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO.
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 HAZARDOUS WIND HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED IMPACTS ACROSS
PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. POTENTIAL IMPACTS INCLUDE:
    - DAMAGE TO PORCHES, AWNINGS, CARPORTS, AND SHEDS. UNSECURED
      LIGHTWEIGHT OBJECTS BECOME DANGEROUS PROJECTILES.
    - SOME ROADS IMPASSABLE FROM DEBRIS, PARTICULARLY WITHIN URBAN
      OR HEAVILY WOODED PLACES. A FEW BRIDGES, CAUSEWAYS, AND ACCESS
      ROUTES IMPASSABLE.
    - SCATTERED POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS OUTAGES.

* SURGE:
ELVATED STORM SURGE THREAT IS ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME ACROSS PUERTO
RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS.

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

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

* EVACUATIONS:
IF EVACUATING THE AREA, STICK TO PRESCRIBED EVACUATION ROUTES. LOOK
FOR ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC INFORMATION ON ROADWAY SMART SIGNS AND LISTEN
TO SELECT RADIO CHANNELS FOR FURTHER TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS. DRIVERS
SHOULD NOT USE CELL PHONES WHILE OPERATING VEHICLES.

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.

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

DO NOT RETURN TO EVACUATED AREAS UNTIL HAZARDOUS WINDS DIMINISH AND
FLOOD WATERS ABATE.

* 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.

IF RELOCATING TO A NEARBY SHELTER OR TO THE HOME OF A FAMILY MEMBER
OR FRIEND, DRIVE WITH EXTRA CAUTION, ESPECIALLY ON SECONDARY ROADS.
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 230 AM AST, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS
WARRANT.

$$
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