[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTCA82 TJSJ 272132
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-280545-

TROPICAL STORM ERIKA LOCAL STATEMENT ADVISORY NUMBER 12
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR  AL052015
532 PM AST THU AUG 27 2015

THIS PRODUCT COVERS PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

...ERIKA QUICKLY APPROACHING THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND EASTERN
PUERTO RICO...

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - NONE

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FOR PUERTO RICO AND THE U.S.
      VIRGIN ISLANDS.

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - ABOUT 180 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SAN JUAN PR OR ABOUT 140 MILES
      SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF SAINT THOMAS VI OR ABOUT 90 MILES SOUTHEAST
      OF SAINT CROIX VI
    - 16.6N 64.0W
    - STORM INTENSITY 45 MPH
    - MOVEMENT WEST-NORTHWEST OR 285 DEGREES AT 15 MPH

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

TROPICAL STORM ERIKA CONTINUES ON TRACK TO CROSS U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
AND PUERTO RICO...BUT WITH THE MOST INTENSE WINDS AND RAINFALL WITHIN
A FEW HOURS OF SAINT CROIX. SUSTAINED STORM FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED
TO BE GREATER THAN 40 MPH...WITH GUSTS OF 60 MPH POSSIBLE THIS EVENING
AND OVERNIGHT. RAINFALL AND FLOODING ARE STILL THE MAJOR CONCERNS.
RAINFALL ESTIMATES FOR THE LOCAL ISLANDS STAND AT 4 TO 8 INCHES WITH
UP TO 12 INCHES POSSIBLE. SIGNIFICANT RAINS FROM TROPICAL STORM ERIKA
WILL CONTINUE OVER PUERTO RICO DURING THE DAY FRIDAY AND CONTINUE THE
THREAT OF FLOODING.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
PROTECT AGAINST DANGEROUS RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE
SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ACROSS U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS INCLUDE:
    - MODERATE RAINFALL FLOODING MAY PROMPT SEVERAL EVACUATIONS AND
      RESCUES.
    - RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES MAY QUICKLY BECOME SWOLLEN WITH SWIFTER
      CURRENTS AND OVERSPILL THEIR BANKS IN A FEW PLACES, ESPECIALLY
      IN USUALLY VULNERABLE SPOTS. SMALL STREAMS, CREEKS, CANALS,
      ARROYOS, AND DITCHES OVERFLOW.
    - FLOOD WATERS CAN ENTER SOME STRUCTURES OR WEAKEN FOUNDATIONS.
      SEVERAL PLACES MAY EXPERIENCE EXPANDED AREAS OF RAPID
      INUNDATION AT UNDERPASSES, LOW-LYING SPOTS, AND POOR DRAINAGE
      AREAS. SOME STREETS AND PARKING LOTS TAKE ON MOVING WATER AS
      STORM DRAINS AND RETENTION PONDS OVERFLOW. DRIVING CONDITIONS
      BECOME HAZARDOUS. SOME ROAD AND BRIDGE CLOSURES.

* WIND:
PROTECT AGAINST DANGEROUS WIND HAVING POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS
ACROSS U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO. POTENTIAL IMPACTS IN THIS
AREA INCLUDE:
    - SOME DAMAGE TO ROOFING AND SIDING MATERIALS, ALONG WITH DAMAGE
      TO PORCHES, AWNINGS, CARPORTS, AND SHEDS. UNSECURED LIGHTWEIGHT
      OBJECTS BECOME DANGEROUS PROJECTILES.
    - 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:
ELEVATED STORM SURGE THREAT IS ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME ACROSS THE U.S.
VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO.

* TORNADOES:
LITTLE IMPACTS ARE ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME ACROSS THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
AND PUERTO RICO.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
FOR THOSE UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS, LEAVE AS SOON AS PRACTICAL WITH A
DESTINATION IN MIND. GAS UP YOUR VEHICLE WELL AHEAD OF TIME. BE SURE
THAT YOU TAKE ALL ESSENTIAL MATERIALS FROM YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT.
LET OTHERS KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND WHEN YOU INTEND TO ARRIVE.

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.

IF EVACUATING AWAY FROM THE AREA OR RELOCATING TO A NEARBY SHELTER, LEAVE
EARLY BEFORE WEATHER CONDITIONS BECOME HAZARDOUS.


* 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.

FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SHELTER MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF
LIFE. ALWAYS HEED THE ADVICE OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMPLY WITH ANY
ORDERS THAT ARE ISSUED. REMEMBER, DURING THE STORM 9 1 1 EMERGENCY
SERVICES MAY NOT BE ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESPOND IF CONDITIONS ARE
UNSAFE. THIS SHOULD BE A BIG FACTOR IN YOUR DECISION MAKING.

CHECK-IN WITH YOUR EMERGENCY POINTS OF CONTACT AMONG FAMILY, FRIENDS,
AND WORKMATES. INFORM THEM OF YOUR STATUS AND WELL-BEING. LET THEM
KNOW HOW YOU INTEND TO RIDE OUT THE STORM AND WHEN YOU PLAN TO
CHECK-IN AGAIN.

KEEP CELL PHONES WELL CHARGED AND HANDY. ALSO, CELL PHONE CHARGERS
FOR AUTOMOBILES CAN BE HELPFUL AFTER THE STORM. LOCATE YOUR CHARGERS
AND KEEP THEM WITH YOUR CELL PHONE.

IN EMERGENCIES IT IS BEST TO REMAIN CALM. STAY INFORMED AND FOCUSED
ON THE SITUATION AT HAND. EXERCISE PATIENCE WITH THOSE YOU ENCOUNTER.
BE A GOOD SAMARITAN AND HELPFUL TO OTHERS.

IF YOU ARE A VISITOR AND STILL IN THE AREA, LISTEN FOR THE NAME OF
THE CITY OR TOWN IN WHICH YOU ARE STAYING WITHIN LOCAL NEWS UPDATES.
BE SURE YOU KNOW THE NAME OF THE COUNTY OR PARISH IN WHICH IT
RESIDES. PAY ATTENTION FOR INSTRUCTIONS FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

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 830 PM AST, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS
WARRANT.

$$
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