[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTCA82 TJSJ 220330
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-221130-

Tropical Storm Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 9
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL132020
1130 PM AST Fri Aug 21 2020

This product covers Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

**NOAA HURRICANE HUNTERS FIND LAURA QUITE DISORGANIZED**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning 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 195 miles east-southeast of San Juan PR or about 130
      miles southeast of Saint Thomas VI
    - 17.0N 63.5W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 18 mph

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

Showers and thunderstorms associated with the external bands of
Tropical Storm Laura are affecting the local islands. This activity
will continue and it is expected to increase in frequency and
intensity through tonight into Saturday. The latest track from the
National Hurricane Center puts the center of Laura passing over Saint
Croix of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and just south of Puerto Rico late
tonight and Saturday. Therefore, tropical storm conditions are
expected across the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico late tonight
and through Saturday. Rainfall totals between 6 and 8 inches are
forecast across the eastern portions and the southern slopes of Puerto
Rico, while other areas of Puerto Rico as well as the U.S. Virgin
Islands can expect 3 to 6 inches of rainfall. These rains may produce
life-threatening flash flooding, river flooding as well as mudslides.
Hazardous seas and life-threatening rip currents are expected.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against 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.

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

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Potential 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.

* 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.

* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across eastern 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.


* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS: Hazardous seas will create life-threatening
  breaking waves and rip currents along the coastal areas of Puerto
  Rico. Breaking wave action will result in coastal flooding
  especially along the mouth of the rivers and in numerous coastal
  roads may be closed. Low lying property including homes,
  businesses, and some critical infrastructure will be inundated.
  Some shoreline erosion will occur. Breaking waves can sweep people
  off jetties and docks, and into dangerous seas. Life-threatening
  swimming conditions and significant beach erosion can be expected.

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:

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 2 AM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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