[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Karen Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 11A
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL122019
800 PM AST Tue Sep 24 2019

This product covers PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

**BROAD CIRCULATION CENTER OF KAREN MOVED OVER VIEQUES AND CULEBRA**

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 50 miles east of San Juan PR or about 30 miles northeast
      of Ceiba PR
    - 18.5N 65.3W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 045 degrees at 10 mph

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

Rain bands associated with Tropical Storm Karen are currently
affecting the eastern half of Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra. These
rain bands will continue to affect these areas during the rest of the
evening and overnight hours. These areas will have the highest risk of
observing flash flooding. Tropical storm force winds, mainly in gusts,
continue across portions of the eastern third of Puerto Rico, Vieques,
Culebra, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hazardous marine conditions
continue across the Caribbean waters and over the Atlantic waters
through early Wednesday. Large breaking waves and life threatening rip
currents will continue through this evening across the southern and
eastern coastal areas of the islands.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having possible 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, mainly
across the eastern half of Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra. Remain
well guarded against dangerous flood waters having possible significant
impacts.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across the
eastern third of Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra and the U.S. Virgin
Islands. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having possible
limited impacts. If realized, these impacts 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:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the southern and eastern coast of Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques, and
the U.S. Virgin Islands. Remain well away from locally hazardous surge
having possible limited impacts. 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.

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

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across the eastern
third of Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra and the U.S. 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.

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.

If evacuating away from the area or relocating to a nearby shelter,
leave early before weather conditions become hazardous.

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

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Now is the time to remain safely sheltered from the storm. Stay inside
and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you
lose electrical power. Locate your battery powered radio and flashlight
from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Keep these items close.

During the peak of the storm, keep your shoes on and rain gear handy.
Boots and tennis shoes offer the best foot protection if you become
unexpectedly exposed to the elements.

* 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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