[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTCA82 TJSJ 291752
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-300200-

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Local Statement
Intermediate Advisory Number 5A
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL092020
152 PM AST Wed Jul 29 2020

This product covers Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

**DISTURBANCE BRINGING HEAVY RAINFALL AND GUSTY WINDS TO THE LEEWARD
ISLANDS...THE U.S. AND BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS...AND PUERTO RICO**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Puerto Rico and the
      U.S. Virgin Islands

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 180 miles southeast of Ponce PR or about 100 miles south
      of Saint Croix VI
    - 16.2N 64.7W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 23 mph

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

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands. Doppler radar and recent surface observations
indicated that rainbands accompanied by torrential rainfall and gusty
conditions have spread across the area. A sustained wind of 25 mph with
a wind gust of 44 mph have been reported at the Luis Munoz Marin
International Airport in San Juan early this afternoon. Satellite
imagery also indicates increasing shower and thunderstorm activity to
the north and northwest of the system. This activity is expected to
stream across the local islands later today as the system continues to
move west-northwest across the eastern Caribbean. Regardless of
development, this system is expected to bring flooding rains across
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, generating life threatening
flash flooding and mudslides, as well as river flooding, particularly
across mainland Puerto Rico tonight. Weather, marine and coastal
conditions are expected to gradually deteriorate this afternoon with
inclement weather continuing through Friday morning.

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 dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 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 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 evacuating the area, stick to prescribed evacuation routes. 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 bring to completion all preparations to protect
life and property in accordance with your emergency plan.

Outside preparations should be wrapped up as soon as possible before
weather conditions completely deteriorate. Any remaining evacuations
and relocations should be expedited before the onset of tropical
storm force wind.

Closely monitor NOAA Weather radio or other local news outlets for
official storm information. Be ready to adapt to 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 5 PM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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