175  
WTCA82 TJSJ 180005  
HLSSJU  
PRZ001>013-VIZ001-002-180815-  
 
TROPICAL STORM FIONA LOCAL STATEMENT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 14A  
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR AL072022  
805 PM AST SAT SEP 17 2022  
 
THIS PRODUCT COVERS PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS  
 
**LIFE-THREATENING FLOODING AND MUDSLIDES POSSIBLE ACROSS PUERTO RICO  
FROM FIONA DURING THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS**  
 
 
NEW INFORMATION  
---------------  
 
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:  
- NONE  
 
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:  
- A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF PUERTO RICO,  
INCLUDING VIEQUES AND CULEBRA.  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND HURRICANE WATCH ARE FOR THE U.S.  
VIRGIN ISLANDS.  
 
* STORM INFORMATION:  
- ABOUT 150 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF SAN JUAN PR OR ABOUT 80  
MILES SOUTH OF SAINT CROIX VI  
- 16.6N 64.9W  
- STORM INTENSITY 60 MPH  
- MOVEMENT WEST-NORTHWEST OR 285 DEGREES AT 8 MPH  
 
SITUATION OVERVIEW  
------------------  
 
TROPICAL STORM FIONA IS CURRENTLY LOCATED 90 MILES SOUTH SOUTHEAST OF  
ST. CROIX, AT 16.6 NORTH, 64.9 WEST. THE FORECAST IS NOW SHOWING A  
HURRICANE CROSSING FROM SOUTHWESTERN TO NORTHWESTERN PUERTO RICO  
TOMORROW. THEREFORE, A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR PUERTO RICO,  
INCLUDING VIEQUES AND CULEBRA, AS WELL AS FOR THE LOCAL WATERS. FOR  
THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND A HURRICANE  
WATCH ARE IN EFFECT. HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY FOR PORTIONS OF  
PUERTO RICO AS WELL AS FOR THE LOCAL WATERS. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS  
ARE EXPECTED TO BE AS HIGH AS NEAR 75 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS UP TO  
90 MPH OVER PUERTO RICO.  
 
THE MAIN HAZARD REMAINS THE FLOODING RAINFALL THAT IT WILL BRING.  
RAINFALL TOTALS IN SOUTHERN PUERTO RICO ARE FORECAST TO BE 12 TO  
16 INCHES, AND LOCALLY UP TO 20 INCHES. ELSEWHERE, RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF  
5 TO 10 INCHES ARE EXPECTED, WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS. THIS AMOUNT  
OF RAINFALL WILL RESULT IN LIFE-THREATENING FLASH AND URBAN FLOODING,  
AS WELL AS MUDSLIDES OR ROCKFALLS AND RIVER FLOODING. THE GREATEST  
THREAT FOR THESE DANGEROUS FLOODING CONDITIONS IS EXPECTED BETWEEN  
TONIGHT AND MONDAY.  
 
DETERIORATING MARINE AND COASTAL CONDITIONS ARE ALSO ANTICIPATED. SEAS  
WILL BUILD TO AROUND 15 FEET, LASTING THROUGH THE WEEKEND. WINDS OVER  
THE SEAS WILL BE AROUND 60 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 80 KNOTS.  
 
POTENTIAL IMPACTS  
-----------------  
 
* FLOODING RAIN:  
PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE  
EXTENSIVE IMPACTS, ESPECIALLY ACROSS EASTERN AND SOUTHERN PUERTO  
RICO. 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.  
 
PROTECT AGAINST DANGEROUS RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE  
SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ACROSS THE REST OF THE REGION.  
 
* WIND:  
PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING WIND HAVING POSSIBLE EXTENSIVE  
IMPACTS ACROSS PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. POTENTIAL  
IMPACTS INCLUDE:  
- CONSIDERABLE ROOF DAMAGE TO STURDY BUILDINGS, WITH SOME HAVING  
WINDOW, DOOR, AND GARAGE DOOR FAILURES LEADING TO STRUCTURAL  
DAMAGE. MOBILE HOMES SEVERELY DAMAGED, WITH SOME DESTROYED.  
DAMAGE ACCENTUATED BY AIRBORNE PROJECTILES. LOCATIONS MAY BE  
UNINHABITABLE FOR WEEKS.  
- MANY LARGE TREES SNAPPED OR UPROOTED ALONG WITH FENCES AND  
ROADWAY SIGNS BLOWN OVER.  
- SOME ROADS IMPASSABLE FROM LARGE DEBRIS, AND MORE WITHIN URBAN  
OR HEAVILY WOODED PLACES. SEVERAL BRIDGES, CAUSEWAYS, AND  
ACCESS ROUTES IMPASSABLE.  
- LARGE AREAS WITH POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS OUTAGES.  
 
* SURGE:  
PROTECT AGAINST LOCALLY HAZARDOUS SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED  
IMPACTS, MOSTLY ALONG THE SOUTHERN COAST OF PUERTO RICO. POTENTIAL  
IMPACTS IN THIS AREA INCLUDE:  
- 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:  
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 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.  
 
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:  
NOW IS THE TIME TO BRING TO COMPLETION ALL PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT  
LIFE AND PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN.  
 
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.  
 
IF YOU ARE RELOCATING TO SAFE SHELTER, LEAVE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. IF  
HEADING TO A COMMUNITY SHELTER, BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE SHELTER  
RULES BEFORE ARRIVAL, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS OR OWN A  
PET. TAKE ESSENTIAL ITEMS WITH YOU FROM YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT.  
CHECK THE LATEST WEATHER FORECAST BEFORE DEPARTING.  
 
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.  
 
KEEP CELL PHONES WELL CHARGED AND HANDY. ALSO, CELL PHONE CHARGERS  
FOR AUTOMOBILES CAN BE HELPFUL AFTER THE STORM. LOCATE YOUR CHARGERS  
AND KEEP THEM WITH YOUR CELL PHONE.  
 
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.  
 
IF YOU ARE A VISITOR AND STILL IN THE AREA, LISTEN FOR THE NAME OF  
THE CITY OR TOWN IN WHICH YOU ARE STAYING WITHIN LOCAL NEWS UPDATES.  
BE SURE YOU KNOW THE NAME OF THE COUNTY OR PARISH IN WHICH IT  
RESIDES. PAY ATTENTION FOR INSTRUCTIONS FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES.  
 
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 11 PM AST, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS  
WARRANT.  
 

 
 
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