[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Laura Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 12A
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL132020
825 PM AST Sat Aug 22 2020

This product covers Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

***HEAVY RAINS OCCURRING OVER PUERTO RICO AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC***

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 180 miles west of San Juan PR or about 100 miles west of
      Mayaguez PR
    - 18.1N 68.7W
    - Storm Intensity 50 mph
    - Movement West or 280 degrees at 18 mph

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

The center of Tropical Storm Laura, located around 100 miles to the
west-southwest of Mayaguez, is now beginning to move inland over the
Dominican Republic. Despite the center moving away from the region, we
will still be impacted by rainfall on the east side of this storm for
the next several hours. The main impacts expected with Laura are
flooding rains, hazardous marine conditions, isolated waterspouts, and
tropical-storm-force winds, mostly in the form of gusts. Rainfall
totals from Tropical Storm Laura are forecast 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
heaviest rainfall has ranged from 2 to 4 inches with isolated areas up
to 6 inches in the southern, eastern, and interior portions of Puerto
Rico. Sustained winds of 35 to 50 mph, with gusts from 65 to 75 mph
have also been observed in those same areas. Given the westward
movement of the storm, rainfall is becoming more intermittent for
eastern Puerto Rico, while still continuous for southern Puerto Rico.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
southern Puerto Rico. Remain well guarded against life- threatening
flood waters having additional 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.


* WIND:

Potential impacts from the wind are still occurring across Puerto
Rico, and less so for the US Virgin Islands. Remain well sheltered from
hazardous wind having additional 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.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still possible across Puerto Rico
and the US 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.

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

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

* EVACUATIONS:
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.

* 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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