[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTCA82 TJSJ 050906
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-051715-

Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 24
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL112017
506 AM AST Tue Sep 5 2017

This product covers PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

**DANGEROUS HURRICANE IRMA HEADING FOR THE LEEWARD ISLANDS WITH 150 MPH WINDS**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for all of Puerto Rico and the
      U.S. Virgin Islands.

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 600 miles east of San Juan PR or about 540 miles
      east-southeast of Saint Thomas VI
    - 16.6N 57.0W
    - Storm Intensity 150 mph
    - Movement West or 270 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 late Wednesday morning. Irma is
expected to move just northeast of the local islands Wednesday through
Thursday. Irma could cause dangerous winds, storm surge, rip currents
and rainfall impacts across the local isles. Hurricane force wind gusts
are possible across the Northern U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra, Vieques
and Northeast Puerto Rico with strong tropical force winds likely. The
rest of the area is likely to experience tropical storm force winds.
Wind gusts with hurricane force wind are likely at higher elevations.
Rainfall accumulations between 4 to 8 inches with as much as 12 inches
in higher elevations are likely Wednesday through Friday.

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

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts especially across the northern U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra
and the northeast quadrant of PUerto Rico.

Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof
      and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage
      greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations
      may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
    - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Widespread power and communications outages.

Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across all the 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.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across the northern U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra
and the northeast quadrant of PUerto Rico.

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across the northern coastlines of Saint Thomas, Saint John,
Culebra and northeastern Puerto Rico.

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.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts.

* 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.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
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.

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.

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.

Drivers should not use cell phones while operating vehicles.


* 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.

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 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 830 AM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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