[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTCA82 TJSJ 170932
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Tropical Storm Fiona Local Statement Advisory Number 12
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL072022
532 AM AST Sat Sep 17 2022

This product covers Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

**FIONA EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN OVER THE NORTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Central Interior,
      Culebra, Eastern Interior, Mayaguez and Vicinity, North
      Central, Northeast, Northwest, Ponce and Vicinity, San Juan and
      Vicinity, Southeast, Southwest, Vieques, and Western Interior

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Central Interior, Culebra, Eastern Interior, Mayaguez and
      Vicinity, North Central, Northeast, Northwest, Ponce and
      Vicinity, San Juan and Vicinity, Southeast, Southwest, Vieques,
      and Western Interior
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for St Croix and
      St.Thomas...St. John...and Adjacent Islands

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 230 miles southeast of San Juan PR or about 130 miles
      southeast of Saint Croix VI
    - 16.4N 63.3W
    - Storm Intensity 60 mph
    - Movement West or 275 degrees at 13 mph

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

The outer bands of Fiona are producing periods of heavy rain and gusty
winds across the islands. At 5 AM AST (09 UTC), the center of Tropical
Storm Fiona was located about 230 miles southeast of San Juan, or about
130 miles southeast of St. Croix. Fiona will continue to approach the
U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, and is expected to move near or
just south of the islands today and tomorrow. River sensors along the
Rio Blanco in Naguabo indicated the river is out of its bank and
emergency managers reported flooding along road #31.

A Tropical Storm Warning and a Flash Flood Watch remain in effect
for all the U.S. Virgin Islands. Due to the latest hurricane hunter
aircraft data, supporting a possible gradual strengthening trend
as Fiona moves near or just south of Puerto Rico, a Hurricane
Watch was issued with the latest 5 AM AST advisory. Everyone
should stay aware and monitor updated forecasts, including those
issued by the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather
Service, San Juan office.

The main threat associated with Fiona are flooding rains with rainfall
accumulations ranging between 5-10 inches for some areas around the
local islands. The higher amounts are expected across the southern and
eastern sections of Puerto Rico, where isolated higher amounts up to 16
inches will remain possible. This amount of rainfall will result in
life-threatening flash and urban flooding, as well as mudslides or
rockfalls and river flooding. The greatest threat for these dangerous
flooding conditions is expected between today and Monday. Marine and
coastal conditions are deteriorating, and seas will build to around 15
feet through the weekend. Maximum sustained winds to near 60 mph with
higher gusts of 75 or more are expected for the islands.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts, especially across eastern and southern Puerto
Rico. 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 significant
impacts across the rest of the region.

* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having significant impacts across
Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Potential impacts include:
    - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
      to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
      experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
      homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
      objects become dangerous projectiles.
    - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
      numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
      fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines.

* 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:
Isolated storm surge flooding is possible mainly across southern
Puerto Rico. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - 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.

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.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to bring to completion all preparations to protect
life and property in accordance with your emergency plan.

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.

If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. If
heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter
rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or own a
pet. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit.
Check the latest weather forecast before departing.

Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.

Check-in with your emergency points of contact among family, friends,
and workmates. Inform them of your status and well-being. Let them
know how you intend to ride out the storm and when you plan to
check-in again.

Keep cell phones well charged and handy. Also, cell phone chargers
for automobiles can be helpful after the storm. Locate your chargers
and keep them with your cell phone.

If you are a visitor and still in the area, listen for the name of
the city or town in which you are staying within local news updates.
Be sure you know the name of the county or parish in which it
resides. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities.

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 8 AM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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