[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTCA82 TJSJ 191536
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-192345-

Hurricane Maria Local Statement Advisory Number 14
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL152017
1136 AM AST Tue Sep 19 2017

This product covers PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

**POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC HURRICANE MARIA CONTINUES WEST-
 NORTHWESTWARD TOWARD THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO**

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 240 miles southeast of San Juan PR or about 150 miles
      southeast of Saint Croix VI
    - 16.3N 63.1W
    - Storm Intensity 160 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 10 mph

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

At 11 AM AST the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft showed that hurricane Maria
maintained its Category 5 status with maximum sustained winds of 160
mph. Maria is expected to continue at this strength until it encounters
Puerto Rico. Hurricane conditions are likely to begin Tuesday night
across the USVI, Vieques and Culebra; and across Puerto Rico Wednesday
morning.

Hurricane force winds will likely continue across USVI, Vieques and
Culebra through Wednesday afternoon; and across Puerto Rico through
Wednesday night. These winds will bring catastrophic damage. Severe
injury is possible in less than a strong structure.

Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains and
on high-rise buildings could be much stronger than the near-surface
winds indicated in the forecast.

Rainfall accumulations across the local islands will depend highly on
the forward speed, but based on the latest forecast, Maria is expected
to produce storm total accumulations of 12 to 18 inches with isolated
amounts of 25 inches or more. Now is the time to complete the
preparations in your emergency plan to secure your home or business.

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

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. Potential
impacts 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
devastating impacts across PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS.
Potential impacts include:
    - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks
      in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks,
      canals, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In
      mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while
      increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood
      control systems and barriers may become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape
      routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water
      with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very
      dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened
      or washed out.

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible extensive
impacts across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, particularly
southeast Puerto Rico and Saint Croix.. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding
      accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings,
      with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating
      debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period.
    - Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads
      washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and
      barriers may become stressed.
    - Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss.
    - Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many
      small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded.


* TORNADOES:
Protect against a particularly dangerous tornado event having possible
extensive impacts across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Potential impacts include:
    - The occurrence of numerous tornadoes can greatly hinder the
      execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - Many places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of
      immense destruction, power loss, and communications failures.
    - Locations could realize roof and wall failures of sturdy
      buildings with some being leveled, structures upon weak
      foundations blown away, mobile homes obliterated, large trees
      twisted and snapped with forested trees uprooted, vehicles
      lifted off the ground and thrown, and small boats destroyed.
      Large and deadly projectiles can add to the toll.


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.

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

$$
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