[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTCA82 TJSJ 171516
HLSSJU
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-172330-

Tropical Storm Fiona Local Statement Advisory Number 13
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL072022
1116 AM AST Sat Sep 17 2022

This product covers Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

 **HURRICANE WARNING ISSUED FOR PUERTO RICO**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch have been
      upgraded to a Hurricane Warning 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 Hurricane Watch has been issued for St Croix and
      St.Thomas...St. John...and Adjacent Islands

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane 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, Vieques, and Western Interior
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      St Croix and St.Thomas...St. John...and Adjacent Islands

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 220 miles southeast of San Juan PR or about 130 miles
      southeast of Saint Croix VI
    - 16.3N 63.5W
    - Storm Intensity 60 mph
    - Movement West or 275 degrees at 8 mph

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

Recent observations show that the forward progression of Tropical
Storm Fiona has slowed, and the storm is currently located 130 miles
southeast of St. Croix, at 16.3 North, 63.5 West. As such, the track
has been shifted eastward. As such, the forecast now shows a hurricane
in the vicinity of southwestern Puerto Rico tomorrow afternoon.
Because of this, a Hurricane Warning has been issued for Puerto Rico,
including Vieques and Culebra, as well as for the local waters. A
Hurricane Watch has been issued for the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hurricane
conditions are now likely for portions of Puerto Rico as well as for
the local waters. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be as high
as near 70 mph with higher gusts of up to 90 mph over the islands,
especially for southwestern and western Puerto Rico.

Regardless of the strengthening of the system, the main hazard remains
the flooding rainfall that it will bring. Rainfall totals in southern
Puerto Rico are forecast to be 12 to 16 inches, and locally up to
20 inches. Elsewhere, rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches are expected,
with locally higher amounts. 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.

Deteriorating marine and coastal conditions are also anticipated. Seas
will build to around 15 feet, lasting into early next week. Winds over
the seas will be around 60 knots with gusts to 80 knots.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against 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 possible
significant impacts across the rest of the region.

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Potential
impacts include:
    - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
      window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
      Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for weeks.
    - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and
      access routes impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts, mostly along the southern coast of 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.

* 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.

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 relocating to a nearby shelter or to the home of a family member
or friend, drive with extra caution, especially on secondary roads.
Remember, many bridges and causeways will be closed once higher winds
arrive. Also, if you encounter water covering the road, seek an
alternate route. Always obey official road signs for closures and
detours.

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 2 PM AST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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