[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTCA82 TJSJ 201521
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-202330-

Hurricane Maria Local Statement Advisory Number 18
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL152017
1121 AM AST Wed Sep 20 2017

This product covers PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

**DESTRUCTIVE WINDS AND FLOODING CONTINUE OVER PORTIONS OF 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 30 miles west of San Juan PR or about 100 miles west of
      Saint Thomas VI
    - 18.4N 66.5W
    - Storm Intensity 140 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 305 degrees at 12 mph

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

At 11 AM AST...The center of Major Hurricane Maria was moving across
portions of north central Puerto Rico. As the eye of Maria continues
to move across Puerto Rico extremely dangerous winds near the eye wall
will result in catastrophic damage. Hurricane force winds will likely
continue across Puerto Rico through late this afternoon. Maria is
expected to produce storm total accumulations of 12 to 18 inches with
isolated amounts of 25 inches or more. Emergency flash flooding is now
occurring across the Rio Grande de Manati...La Plata and Rio Grande de
Loiza basins. 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 having additional devastating impacts. 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 having additional devastating impacts.
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 across
the coastal areas of Puerto Rico, Culebra and Vieques. Remain well away
from life-threatening surge having additional 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 additional 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:

IMMINENT/ONGOING PHASE - 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.

During the peak of the storm, keep your shoes on and rain gear handy.
Boots and tennis shoes offer the best foot protection if you become
unexpectedly exposed to the elements.

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 PM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
This weather bulletin was brought to you by:
www.nashvilleweather.net