[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTCA82 TJSJ 230328
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-231130-

Tropical Storm Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 13
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL132020
1128 PM AST Sat Aug 22 2020

This product covers Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

***LAURA PRODUCING HEAVY RAINS OVER THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC***

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for
      St.Thomas...St. John...and Adjacent Islands

* 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, Vieques, and Western
      Interior

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 240 miles west of San Juan PR or about 160 miles west of
      Mayaguez PR
    - 18.3N 69.6W
    - Storm Intensity 50 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 16 mph

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

The center of Tropical Storm Laura, located around 160 miles to the
west of Mayaguez, is now beginning to move inland over the Dominican
Republic. Despite the center moving away from the region, the outer
rainbands are still impacting primarily southern and western Puerto
Rico. Given the calmer conditions east of Puerto Rico, the Tropical
Storm Warning has been expired for the USVI. The warning will continue
to remain in effect for Puerto Rico. A Flash Flood Watch will remain in
effect through tomorrow due to saturated conditions and lingering
moisture from Laura, and an additional 1 to 3 inches are possible.
Therefore, the impacts from the lingering bands of Laura will primarily
be heavy rainfall and associated flooding and landslide threat.
Furthermore, hazardous marine conditions, isolated waterspouts, and
tropical-storm-force winds within the rainbands are all still possible.
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.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rains are still occurring 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.


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 2 AM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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