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000 WTCA82 TJSJ 221520 HLSSJU PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-222330- Tropical Storm Karen Local Statement Advisory Number 2 National Weather Service San Juan PR AL122019 1120 AM AST Sun Sep 22 2019 This product covers PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS **KAREN BRINGING GUSTY WINDS AND HEAVY RAINFALL TO PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHERN WINDWARD ISLANDS** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for all Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John. * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for all Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John. * STORM INFORMATION: - About 500 miles southeast of San Juan PR or about 460 miles south-southeast of Saint Thomas VI - 12.5N 61.7W - Storm Intensity 40 mph - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 13 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Based on the latest forecast track, tropical storm force winds are expected to start affecting the Caribbean waters late Monday night into Tuesday morning. Most of the winds associated with Karen are located in the northeast and southwest quadrant, therefore tropical- force winds are possible across the U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra, Vieques and the eastern third of Puerto Rico on Tuesday. Rain bands associated with Tropical Storm Karen can start as early as late Monday night into early Tuesday morning and continue through Wednesday. Rough and hazardous seas across the Caribbean waters and Anegada Passage are expected through Wednesday. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. Potential impacts include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. * SURGE: Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across the U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra and Vieques. 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. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 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. Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited to significant impacts across the U.S. Virgin Islands. * TORNADOES: Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across the U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra and Vieques. 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: 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. Do not return to evacuated areas until hazardous winds diminish and flood waters abate. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: 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 2 PM AST, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$