Local Statement for Puerto Rico / V.I.

By | August 12, 2024

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Potential Tropical Cyclone Five Local Statement Advisory Number 2
National Weather Service San Juan PR  AL052024
1100 PM AST Sun Aug 11 2024

This product covers Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

**DISTURBANCE CONTINUES TO MOVE RAPIDLY WEST-NORTHWESTWARD** 


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for St Croix and 
      St.Thomas...St. John...and Adjacent Islands

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 1090 miles east-southeast of San Juan PR or about 1030 
      miles east-southeast of Saint Thomas VI
    - 14.1N 50.1W
    - Storm Intensity 30 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 23 mph

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

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
The Potential Tropical Cyclone Five will bring tropical storm force 
winds and periods of heavy rain, with the potential for flash flooding 
and mudslides. Hazardous marine and coastal conditions are also 
expected, beginning as early as Tuesday Evening. First rainbands will 
arrive by Tuesday afternoon, becoming more frequent and heavier Tuesday
Evening through early Wednesday morning. 


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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across.
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 along steep terrain will result in many 
      rockslides and landslides. 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.

Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited to 
significant impacts across the US Virgin Islands.

* WIND:
Prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across
the US Virgin Islands. Potential impacts in this area 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.


* SURGE:
Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across the US Virgin Islands. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along 
      immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas 
      farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
    - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread 
      with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where 
      surge water covers the road.
    - 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:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across USA
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.

Elsewhere across Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, little to no 
impact is anticipated.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and take necessary 
actions to secure your home or business. Deliberate efforts should be 
underway to protect life and property. Ensure that your Emergency 
Supplies Kit is stocked and ready.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the 
exact forecast track as there are inherent forecast uncertainties 
which must be taken into account.

If you live in a place that is particularly vulnerable to high wind, 
such as a mobile home, an upper floor of a high rise building, or on 
a boat, plan to move to safe shelter. Take enough supplies for you 
and your family for several days.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as 
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low lying or poor 
drainage area, in a valley or canyon, or near an already swollen 
river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground

Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders 
that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives 
of others.

When securing your property, outside preparations should be conducted 
as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of 
strong gusty winds and heavy rain can cause certain preparedness 
activities to become unsafe.

Be sure to let friends and other family members know of your 
intentions and whereabouts for surviving the storm. For emergency 
purposes, have someone located away from the threatened area serve as 
your point of contact. Share vital contact information with others. 
Keep cell phones handy and well charged.

Be a Good Samaritan and check on those who may not be fully aware of 
the situation or who are unable to make personal preparations.

Visitors to the area should become familiar with nearby surroundings. 
If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or parish in which 
you are located and where it is relative to current watches and 
warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their 
onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially 
pertaining to area visitors.

Closely monitor NOAA Weather Radio or other local news outlets for 
official storm information. Listen for 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 5 AM, or sooner if conditions warrant.

$$

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