[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTCA82 TJSJ 061522
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-062330-

Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 30
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL112017
1122 AM AST Wed Sep 6 2017

This product covers PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

**EYE OF POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE IRMA CLOSING IN
 ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Central Interior, Culebra,
      Eastern Interior, Mayaguez and Vicinity, North Central,
      Northeast, Northwest, Ponce and Vicinity, San Juan and
      Vicinity, Southeast, Southwest, St Croix, St.Thomas...St.
      John...and Adjacent Islands, Vieques, and Western Interior

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 130 miles east of San Juan PR or about 60 miles east of
      Saint Thomas VI
    - 18.2N 64.0W
    - Storm Intensity 185 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 16 mph

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

At 11 AM AST 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 with gusts of 155 mph and an eye around 30 miles
wide. Irma is expected to continue as a major hurricane as it
approaches and impacts Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands today.
Irma is expected to cause lethal winds, storm surge, rip currents and
rainfall impacts across the local islands. Hurricane force winds will
be exceeded across the Northern U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra, with an
eyewall passage. Hurricane force winds are possible in northeast Puerto
Rico and hurricane force gusts . can be expected there. Strong
tropical force winds are likely over Vieques and Saint Croix. The rest
of the area is likely to experience tropical storm force winds. Wind
gusts with hurricane force wind are also 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.

Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across the remainder of Puerto Ric and Saint Croix.

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible devastating
impacts across northern coasts of Puerto Rico including Culebra and the
northern U.S. Virgin Islands. 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.

Also, protect against life-threatening surge having possible
significant to extensive impacts across Saint Croix.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across all other coastlines.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across the entire region and especially higher
terrain. 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.


* 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:
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.

Do not return to evacuated areas until hazardous winds diminish and
flood waters abate.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
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.

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.

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.

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 2:30 PM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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