| Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 30 National Weather Service San Juan PR AL112017 1122 AM AST Wed Sep 6 2017 This product covers PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS **EYE OF POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE IRMA CLOSING IN ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * 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, St Croix, St.Thomas...St. John...and Adjacent Islands, Vieques, and Western Interior * STORM INFORMATION: - About 130 miles east of San Juan PR or about 60 miles east of Saint Thomas VI - 18.2N 64.0W - Storm Intensity 185 mph - Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 16 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ At 11 AM AST Irma continues as a dangerous category 5 with winds of 185 mph. Irma passed over the island of Barbuda with sustained wind report of 118 mph with gusts of 155 mph and an eye around 30 miles wide. Irma is expected to continue as a major hurricane as it approaches and impacts Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands today. Irma is expected to cause lethal winds, storm surge, rip currents and rainfall impacts across the local islands. Hurricane force winds will be exceeded across the Northern U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra, with an eyewall passage. Hurricane force winds are possible in northeast Puerto Rico and hurricane force gusts . can be expected there. Strong tropical force winds are likely over Vieques and Saint Croix. The rest of the area is likely to experience tropical storm force winds. Wind gusts with hurricane force wind are also likely in higher elevations. Rainfall storm total accumulations across the north and northeast of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands except St. Croix, 4 to 10 inches with isolated 15 inches. Across the Southwest part of Puerto Rico and St. Croix expect 2 to 4 inches. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts across the northern U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra, Vieques and northeast Puerto Rico. Potential impacts in this area include: - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months. - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Widespread power and communications outages. Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across the remainder of Puerto Ric and Saint Croix. * SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible devastating impacts across northern coasts of Puerto Rico including Culebra and the northern U.S. Virgin Islands. Potential impacts in this area include: - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded from considerable floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible. - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore and stranded. Also, protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant to extensive impacts across Saint Croix. Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across all other coastlines. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across the entire region and especially higher terrain. 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. * 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 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. For those not under evacuation orders, understand that there are inherent risks to evacuation (such as traffic congestion, accidents, and driving in bad weather), so evacuate only if necessary. Help keep roadways open for those that are under evacuation orders. Do not return to evacuated areas until hazardous winds diminish and flood waters abate. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: 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. 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. 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. 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 2:30 PM AST, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$ |