[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTCA82 TJSJ 210027
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-210830-

Hurricane Maria Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 19A
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL152017
827 PM AST Wed Sep 20 2017

This product covers PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

**CATASTROPHIC FLASH FLOODING OCCURRING OVER PORTIONS OF PUERTO
RICO**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled for St Croix and
      St.Thomas...St. John...and Adjacent Islands

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for all Puerto Rico, Culebra
      and Vieques.

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 100 miles west-northwest of San Juan PR or about 40 miles
      northwest of Aguadilla PR
    - 18.9N 67.5W
    - Storm Intensity 110 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 305 degrees at 12 mph

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

At 8 PM AST...The center of Hurricane Maria is over the Atlantic
waters just northwest of Puerto Rico. Hurricane force winds will
continue for the next couple of hours across Puerto Rico. Tropical
storm conditions will continue through tonight. Rainfall amounts have
ranged between 15 and 25 inches with 40 inches or greater in isolated
spots. Catastrophic flash flooding continues across much of Puerto
Rico with major rivers and tributaries out of their banks. Please
remain safely sheltered from the storm and the flood waters.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
most of Puerto Rico. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood
waters that are still occurring across the northern half of Puerto Rico
with 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.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across the
northwest quadrant of Puerto Rico. 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.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the south and west coast of Puerto Rico. If realized, these impacts
include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
      weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
      numerous rip currents.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.

* TORNADOES:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Puerto Rico.

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 be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos. Be wise and avoid becoming another statistic.


* 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 11 PM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

Duplantis
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