[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTCA82 TJSJ 282152
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Hurricane Dorian Local Statement Advisory Number 18
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL052019
552 PM AST Wed Aug 28 2019

This product covers PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

**DORIAN GRADUALLY MOVING AWAY FROM THE NORTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN SEA**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 40 miles northeast of San Juan PR or about 45 miles
      northwest of Saint Thomas VI
    - 18.8N 65.5W
    - Storm Intensity 80 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 320 degrees at 14 mph

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

Hurricane Dorian has moved over the Atlantic coastal waters just north
of Culebra. Hurricane and tropical storm force winds are still
possible across portions of the northern U.S. Virgin Islands and
Culebra during the next hour or so. Tropical storm force wind gusts are
expected to continue between the U.S. Virgin Islands and the
northeastern portions of Puerto Rico through the rest of the afternoon
hours with possible hurricane force wind gusts as Dorian continues to
move northwest and into the offshore Atlantic waters. Therefore, a
Hurricane Warning continues in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands,
Culebra and Vieques. In addition, a Hurricane Watch and a Tropical
Storm Warning continues in effect for mainland Puerto Rico. Flooding
rains are expected to continue through the overnight hours into
Thursday morning across the islands as Dorian exits the region.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across the
U.S. Virgin Islands and across the eastern, central and southern
sections of Puerto Rico. Remain well guarded against life- threatening
flood waters having additional extensive impacts. If realized, these
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.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the rest of the northern Puerto Rico. Remain well guarded against
dangerous flood waters having possible significant impacts.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
portions of the northern U.S. Virgin Islands and Culebra. Remain well
sheltered from dangerous wind having possible significant impacts. If
realized, these impacts 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.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across portions of northeastern Puerto Rico. Remain well sheltered
from hazardous wind having possible limited impacts.

Elsewhere across PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS, little to no
impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across PUERTO RICO
AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. Remain well braced against a tornado event
having possible limited impacts. If realized, these 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.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
across the coastal areas of the U.S. Virgin Islands and eastern Puerto
Rico, but especially across St. Thomas, St. John, Culebra and Vieques.
Remain well away from locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across eastern and northern Puerto Rico. If realized, these
impacts 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.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Do not return to evacuated areas until hazardous winds diminish and
flood waters abate.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Do not venture outside while in the eye of the storm. 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.

* 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 PM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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