[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Dorian Local Statement Advisory Number 16
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL052019
546 AM AST Wed Aug 28 2019

This product covers PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

**DORIAN EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS IN THE VIRGIN
 ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO LATER TODAY**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Culebra, Vieques, St.
      Croix, St.Thomas...St. John...and Adjacent Islands.

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, Saint Thomas, Saint John, and
      Saint Croix.

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 180 miles southeast of San Juan PR or about 90 miles
      southeast of Saint Croix VI
    - 16.8N 63.9W
    - Storm Intensity 60 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 310 degrees at 13 mph

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

There is a Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch for all of
Puerto Rico and for the U.S. Virgin Islands. Based on the latest
forecast track, tropical storm force winds will start affecting the
local waters very shortly. As Tropical Storm Dorian tracks to the
northwest, tropical storm force winds are forecast to affect Saint
Croix starting at around 8 AM, continuing into across southeastern
Puerto Rico, Vieques, and the northern U.S. Virgin Islands at around
noon to 2 PM. The tropical storm is expected to exit from northeast
Puerto Rico by tonight. Rain bands associated with Tropical Storm
Dorian have already started affecting the U.S. Virgin Islands and
eastern Puerto Rico, and the impact of the storm will continue through
at least Thursday morning. Rough and hazardous seas across the
Caribbean waters and Mona Passage are expected today.

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

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

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
across most of Puerto Rico especially the eastern half including
Culebra, Vieques and St. Croix. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
      to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
      experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
      homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
      objects become dangerous projectiles.
    - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
      numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
      fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines.


* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across the eastern and southern coasts of Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
      immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
      farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
    - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
      with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
      surge water covers the road.
    - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
      in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
    - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
      and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. Potential impacts
include:
    - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
      of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
      and communications disruptions.
    - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys
      toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned,
      large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees
      knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats
      pulled from moorings.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
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.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and take necessary
actions to secure your home or business. Deliberate efforts should be
underway to protect life and property. Ensure that your Emergency
Supplies Kit is stocked and ready.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track as there are inherent forecast uncertainties
which must be taken into account.

Visitors to the area should become familiar with nearby surroundings.
If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or parish in which
you are located and where it is relative to current watches and
warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their
onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially
pertaining to area visitors.

Closely monitor NOAA Weather Radio or other local news outlets for
official storm information. Listen for 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 8 AM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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