http://www.nhcpara.noaa.gov/text/WTCA82-TJSJ-English.shtml http://www.nhcpara.noaa.gov/text/WTCA82-TJSJ-Spanish.shtml 000 WTCA82 TJSJ 280104 HLSSJU PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-280915- TROPICAL STORM ERIKA LOCAL STATEMENT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 12A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR AL052015 904 PM AST THU AUG 27 2015 THIS PRODUCT COVERS PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS ...ERIKA APPROACHING U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO... NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - NONE * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR PUERTO RICO AND THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS * STORM INFORMATION: - ABOUT 150 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SAN JUAN PR OR ABOUT 150 MILES SOUTHEAST OF PONCE PR OR ABOUT 70 MILES SOUTH OF SAINT CROIX VI - 16.7N 64.7W - STORM INTENSITY 45 MPH - MOVEMENT WEST OR 280 DEGREES AT 12 MPH SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ TROPICAL STORM ERIKA CONTINUES ON TRACK TO CROSS U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO. THE MOST INTENSE WINDS AND RAINFALL WILL BE THIS EVENING AT SAINT CROIX...AND THEN VIEQUES AND THE SOUTHEAST COAST OF MAINLAND PUERTO RICO BEFORE MIDNIGHT. SUSTAINED STORM FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE GREATER THAN 40 MPH...WITH GUSTS OF 60 MPH POSSIBLE THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT. RAINFALL AND FLOODING ARE STILL THE MAJOR CONCERNS. RAINFALL ESTIMATES FOR THE LOCAL ISLANDS STAND AT 4 TO 8 INCHES WITH UP TO 12 INCHES POSSIBLE. SIGNIFICANT RAINS FROM TROPICAL STORM ERIKA WILL CONTINUE OVER PUERTO RICO DURING THE DAY FRIDAY AND CONTINUE THE THREAT OF FLOODING. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: PROTECT AGAINST DANGEROUS RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ACROSS U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO. POTENTIAL IMPACTS INCLUDE: - MODERATE RAINFALL FLOODING MAY PROMPT SEVERAL EVACUATIONS AND RESCUES. - RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES MAY QUICKLY BECOME SWOLLEN WITH SWIFTER CURRENTS AND OVERSPILL THEIR BANKS IN A FEW PLACES, ESPECIALLY IN USUALLY VULNERABLE SPOTS. SMALL STREAMS, CREEKS, CANALS, ARROYOS, AND DITCHES OVERFLOW. - FLOOD WATERS CAN ENTER SOME STRUCTURES OR WEAKEN FOUNDATIONS. SEVERAL PLACES MAY EXPERIENCE EXPANDED AREAS OF RAPID INUNDATION AT UNDERPASSES, LOW-LYING SPOTS, AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. SOME STREETS AND PARKING LOTS TAKE ON MOVING WATER AS STORM DRAINS AND RETENTION PONDS OVERFLOW. DRIVING CONDITIONS BECOME HAZARDOUS. SOME ROAD AND BRIDGE CLOSURES. * WIND: PROTECT AGAINST DANGEROUS WIND HAVING POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ACROSS U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO. POTENTIAL IMPACTS IN THIS AREA INCLUDE: - SOME DAMAGE TO ROOFING AND SIDING MATERIALS, ALONG WITH DAMAGE TO PORCHES, AWNINGS, CARPORTS, AND SHEDS. UNSECURED LIGHTWEIGHT OBJECTS BECOME DANGEROUS PROJECTILES. - 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. * SURGE: ELEVATED STORM SURGE THREAT IS ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME ACROSS PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. * TORNADOES: LITTLE TO NO IMPACTS ARE ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME ACROSS PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: IF EVACUATING THE AREA, STICK TO PRESCRIBED EVACUATION ROUTES. LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC INFORMATION ON ROADWAY SMART SIGNS AND LISTEN TO SELECT RADIO CHANNELS FOR FURTHER TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS. DRIVERS SHOULD NOT USE CELL PHONES WHILE OPERATING VEHICLES. 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. IN EMERGENCIES IT IS BEST TO REMAIN CALM. STAY INFORMED AND FOCUSED ON THE SITUATION AT HAND. EXERCISE PATIENCE WITH THOSE YOU ENCOUNTER. BE A GOOD SAMARITAN AND HELPFUL TO OTHERS. 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 1130 PM AST, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS WARRANT. $$ (it went toward the low pressure) |