[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement
EMWIN Server
emwin at nashvilleweather.net
Tue Sep 19 22:30:20 CDT 2017
WTCA82 TJSJ 200330
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-201130-
Hurricane Maria Local Statement Advisory Number 16
National Weather Service San Juan PR AL152017
1130 PM AST Tue Sep 19 2017
This product covers PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS
**EYE OF POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE MARIA NEARING
ST. CROIX**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Puerto Rico and US Virgin
Islands.
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 120 miles southeast of San Juan PR or about 30 miles
south-southeast of Saint Croix VI
- 17.3N 64.7W
- Storm Intensity 175 mph
- Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 10 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
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. 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 remain safely sheltered from the storm.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. Remain well sheltered from life-
threatening wind. If realized, these 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:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters. If realized, these 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:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding. Remain
well away from life-threatening surge having extensive impacts. If
realized, these impacts 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:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across PUERTO RICO
AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. Remain well braced against a dangerous
tornado event having significant impacts. If realized, these impacts
include:
- The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution
of emergency plans during tropical events.
- Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots
of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
- Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile
homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or
uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about.
Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Do not return to evacuated areas until hazardous winds diminish and
flood waters abate.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to remain safely sheltered from the storm. Stay inside
and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you
lose electrical power. Locate your battery powered radio and flashlight
from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Keep these items close.
Continue to keep your cell phone well charged for as long as
possible. If you lose power, use it more sparingly and mainly for
personal emergencies and check-ins. Do not overload communications
systems with idle chatter.
Do not venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane. Within the
eye, weather conditions may temporarily improve which can be
misleading. Once the eye passes, the wind will change direction and
return to dangerous speeds. Heavy rain will also return. Be smart and
remain safely hidden from the storm.
Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos. Be wise and avoid becoming another statistic.
Be ready to move to the identified safe room if your home or shelter
begins to fail. Quickly move to an interior room on the lowest floor.
Put as many sturdy walls between you and the storm as you can.
Protect your head and body.
When major hurricanes make landfall, extreme winds bring a tremendous
threat to life and cause devastating to catastrophic damage. During
landfall, listen for extreme wind warnings which indicate the exact
timing and location of these incredible life-threatening winds. If
issued for you area, move to the safest place within your home or
shelter. Take the same life-saving actions as if it were a violent
tornado.
* 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 AM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
$$
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