[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTCA82 TJSJ 041515
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-042315-

Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 21
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL112017
1115 AM AST Mon Sep 4 2017

...A hurricane watch has been issued for Puerto Rico and US Virgin
Islands...

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for all Puerto Rico and US
      Virgin Islands.

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for all Puerto Rico and US Virgin
      Islands.

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 840 miles east of San Juan PR or about 770 miles east of
      Saint Thomas VI
    - 16.8N 53.3W
    - Storm Intensity 120 mph
    - Movement West-southwest or 255 degrees at 14 mph

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

Irma is expected to remain as a major hurricane as it approaches
Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands Wednesday afternoon into
Thursday. Irma could cause dangerous winds, storm surge and rainfall
impacts across the local isles. Hurricane Force winds are possible
across Northern U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra and Northeast Puerto Rico
with strong tropical force winds likely. The rest of the area likely to
experience tropical storm force winds. Wind gusts with hurricane force
wind are likely at higher elevations. The earliest reasonable time of
tropical storm winds is Wednesday morning. Rainfall accumulations
between 4 to 8 with isolated amounts over 10 inches likely Wednesday
through Thursday.

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

* WIND:
Prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across.
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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS.
Potential impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and
      ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas,
      destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while
      increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood
      control systems and barriers may become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
      Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
      underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
      Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts
across the Atlantic shorelines. Potential impacts in this area
include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
      weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
      numerous rip currents.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.


* 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.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
WATCH/WARNING PHASE - For those under evacuation orders, leave as soon
as practical with a destination in mind. Gas up your vehicle well
ahead of time. Be sure that you take all essential materials from your
emergency supplies kit. Let others know where you are going and when
you intend to arrive.

WATCH/WARNING PHASE - 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.

WATCH/WARNING PHASE - For those not under evacuation orders,
understand that there are inherent risks to evacuation (such as
traffic congestion, accidents, and driving in bad weather), so
evacuate only if necessary. Help keep roadways open for those that
are under evacuation orders.

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 230 PM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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