[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTCA82 TJSJ 210009
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-210815-

Tropical Depression Thirteen Local Statement
Intermediate Advisory Number 4A
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL132020
809 PM AST Thu Aug 20 2020

This product covers Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

**INITIAL REPORTS FROM A NOAA HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT INDICATE THAT
THE DEPRESSION IS NOT WELL ORGANIZED**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch 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 700 miles east of San Juan PR or about 630 miles east of
      Saint Thomas VI
    - 17.0N 55.5W
    - Storm Intensity 35 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 21 mph

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

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands, as the Tropical Depression Thirteen currently located
about 715 miles east-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico and about 620
miles east-southeast of Saint John, VI, is expected to strengthen into
a tropical storm on Friday. The passage of the system is most likely to
occur late Friday night into Saturday morning to our north, with its
closest approach at about 100 miles north-northeast of Saint
Thomas/Saint John, and northeast Puerto Rico during Saturday morning.
Weather, marine, and coastal conditions are expected to deteriorate
starting Friday night and continuing thru Saturday. Possible impacts
associated with this Tropical Cyclone are tropical storm force winds
and 3 to 6 inches of rainfall across the local islands, but
particularly over south and east Puerto Rico and the northern US Virgin
Islands. These rains may produce life-threatening flash flooding,
river flooding as well as mudslides. Hazardous seas and life-
threatening rip currents are expected mainly across the Atlantic waters
and shorelines.


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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across Puerto Rico and the U.S. 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.

Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
      uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
      shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
      bridges and other elevated roadways.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.

Elsewhere across Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, little to no
impact is anticipated.

* SURGE:
Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across 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:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
Puerto Rico and the U.S. 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.

Elsewhere across Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, little to no
impact is anticipated.


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:

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low lying or poor
drainage area, in a valley or canyon, or near an already swollen
river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground

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 11 PM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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