Local Statement for Karen (Puerto Rico / V.I.)

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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.

$$