[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTCA82 TJSJ 060919
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PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-061730-

Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 29
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL112017
519 AM AST Wed Sep 6 2017

This product covers PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

**EYE OF POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE IRMA MOVING
AWAY FROM BARBUDA AND TOWARD ST. MARTIN**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 230 miles east of San Juan PR or about 160 miles east of
      Saint Thomas VI
    - 17.9N 62.6W
    - Storm Intensity 185 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 16 mph

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

Irma continues as a dangerous category 5 with winds of 185 mph. Irma
passed over the island of Barbuda with sustained wind report of 118
mph and gusts of 155 mph. Irma is expected to continue as a major
hurricane as it approaches and impacts Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands later this morning and the rest of today. Irma is expected to
cause dangerous winds, storm surge, rip currents and rainfall impacts
across the local islands. 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 much likely in higher elevations.
Rainfall storm total accumulations across the north and northeast of
Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands except St. Croix, 4 to 10 inches
with isolated 15 inches. Across the Southwest part of Puerto Rico and
St. Croix expect 2 to 4 inches.


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

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across the Northern U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra, Vieques and
Northeast 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across much of the islands, especially the Northern
U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra, Vieques and Northeast Puerto Rico.

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:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible devastating
impacts across the Northern U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra, Vieques and
Northeast Puerto Rico.

Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly
      accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to
      buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded
      from considerable floating debris. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for an extended period.
    - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or
      severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become
      stressed.
    - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible.
    - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Numerous
      small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore
      and stranded.

* 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.

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.

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.

If evacuating away from the area or relocating to a nearby shelter,
leave early before weather conditions become hazardous.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

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 8:30 AM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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