[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTCA82 TJSJ 200618
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-201430-

Hurricane Maria Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 16A
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL152017
218 AM AST Wed Sep 20 2017

This product covers PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

**CORE OF POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE MARIA
EXPECTED TO REACH SOUTHEASTERN PUERTO RICO THIS MORNING**


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 80 miles southeast of San Juan PR or about 20 miles
      west-southwest of Saint Croix VI
    - 17.6N 65.1W
    - Storm Intensity 165 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. 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 events. 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 5:30 AM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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