HLSSJU PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-141130- Tropical Storm Ernesto Local Statement Advisory Number 10 National Weather Service San Juan PR AL052024 1118 PM AST Tue Aug 13 2024 This product covers Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands ...ERNESTO WITH CENTER JUST NORTH OF CULEBRA AND THE NORTHERN U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS IS EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN WHILE IT PASSES NORTHEAST OF PUERTO RICO OVERNIGHT... NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Culebra, St Croix, St.Thomas...St. John...and Adjacent Islands, and Vieques - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Central Interior, Eastern Interior, Mayaguez and Vicinity, North Central, Northeast, Northwest, Ponce and Vicinity, San Juan and Vicinity, Southeast, Southwest, and Western Interior * STORM INFORMATION: - About 50 miles east-northeast of San Juan PR or about 40 miles north-northwest of Saint Thomas VI - 18.8N 65.3W - Storm Intensity 65 mph - Movement Northwest or 305 degrees at 17 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for all the U.S. Virgin Islands and the municipalities of Culebra and Vieques in Puerto Rico due to possible hurricane conditions through tonight and Tropical Storm conditions are expected to continue within the next 36 hours. Ernesto`s center is currently located about 35 miles northwest of St. Thomas with strong rainbands stretching from St. Croix through the northern U.S. and British Virgin Islands. For the rest of tonight through the morning hours , heavy rainfall will continue to affect the eastern half of the region, moving closer to Culebra, Vieques, and eastern Puerto Rico. Tropical storm sustained winds are expected across most of the eastern side of Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques and all the U.S. Virgin Islands. Lingering moisture will persist tomorrow afternoon providing conditions for ongoing rainfall. Marine and coastal conditions will remain deteriorated with seas greater than 10 feet and life-threatening rip currents, and rough surf conditions lasting through at least tomorrow night. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across U.S. Virgin Islands, Vieques, Culebra, and eastern Puerto Rico. Remain well sheltered from dangerous wind having significant impacts. If realized, these impacts 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: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding. Remain well away from locally hazardous surge having limited impacts. If realized, these impacts 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: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having extensive impacts. If realized, these 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. * TORNADOES: Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across the U.S. Virgin Islands, Vieques, and Culebra. Remain well braced against a tornado event having limited impacts. If realized, these 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 remain safely sheltered from the storm. Stay inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Locate your battery powered radio and flashlight from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Keep these items close. During the peak of the storm, keep your shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and tennis shoes offer the best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the elements. Continue to keep your cell phone well charged for as long as possible. If you lose power, use it more sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins. Do not overload communications systems with idle chatter. Be ready to move to the identified safe room if your home or shelter begins to fail. Quickly move to an interior room on the lowest floor. Put as many sturdy walls between you and the storm as you can. Protect your head and body. * 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 AM AST, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$ $$