[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTCA82 TJSJ 221503
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-222315-

Tropical Storm Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 11
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL132020
1103 AM AST Sat Aug 22 2020

This product covers Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

**LAURA BRINGING HEAVY RAINS TO PORTIONS OF PUERTO RICO AND THE U.S.
 VIRGIN ISLANDS**

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 70 miles southwest of San Juan PR or about 20 miles
      southwest of Ponce PR
    - 17.8N 66.8W
    - Storm Intensity 40 mph
    - Movement West or 280 degrees at 18 mph

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

The center of Tropical Storm Laura, located around 20 miles to the
southwest of Ponce and 70 miles southwest of San Juan, will continue
to move westward across the local Caribbean Waters and near mainland
Puerto Rico through the morning hours. The latest track from the
National Hurricane Center puts the center of Laura passing close to
portions of southwestern Puerto Rico today and leaving the area later
this afternoon or during the evening hours. The main impacts expected
with Laura are flooding rains, hazardous marine conditions, isolated
waterspout, and tropical-storm-force winds in the form of gusts.
Rainfall totals are expected between 3 and 6 inches with local maxima
of up to 8 inches, mainly across the eastern and southern slopes of
Puerto Rico. As a result, life-threatening flash flooding, river
flooding as well as mudslides are posible. Hazardous seas and life-
threatening rip currents are expected. So far, the latest highest gusts
reported at surface observing stations in St Croix were 46 mph in
Cotton Valley, 45 mph in Two Brothers, and 43 mph in Sandy Point; in St
Thomas 41 mph in Buck Islands and 35 mph at the airport; and in Puerto
Rico, 52 mph in Culebra, and 32 mph in Vieques.

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:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Puerto Rico
and the US Virgin Islands.

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.

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

* 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 PM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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