JIC Release No. 1 - Guam to Move to COR 3 by 7 p.m.; Tropical Storm Expected South of Guam by Saturday Afternoon - GHS OCD

Governor Eddie Calvo and Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, commander, Joint Region Marianas, anticipate placing Guam and the respective military bases in Condition of Readiness (COR) 3 at 7 p.m. this evening.
At COR 3, damaging winds of 39-57 mph are expected within 48 hours. Although the tropical depression does not currently have damaging winds, it is expected to intensify into a tropical storm by this evening, meaning tropical storm force winds are possible.
The tropical depression is about 545 miles southeast of Guam, 555 miles southeast of Rota and 595 miles south-southeast of Tinian and Saipan, with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph. It is expected to gradually strengthen, passing south of Guam Saturday afternoon as a tropical storm. The closest point of approach is forecast around 5 p.m. Saturday but inclement weather is expected before, during and after the storm makes its closest point of approach.
Scattered to numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms will develop through Saturday. East winds will increase to between 20 and 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph in heavier showers Saturday and Saturday night. Any northward deviation of the current forecast track would bring stronger winds to Guam, particularly in the southern villages.
Winds and seas will become hazardous to small craft early Saturday morning. Surf is currently hazardous along west facing reefs. Surf could become hazardous along south and east facing reefs by Saturday afternoon.
For the Marianas, rain is expected to be heavy at times, causing ponding on roads and in low-lying areas Saturday through Sunday. Up to 2 to 4 inches of rain are possible through Sunday night, with locally higher amounts.

Don’t Wait – Prepare Now
With the uncertainty of exactly how close to Guam the disturbance will pass and the strength, it is advised to take precautionary actions now:
INDOOR PREPARATIONS
·Roll up carpets away from doors and windows
·Make lighting supplies easily accessible
·Unplug all appliances and ensure energy breakers are switched off once damaging winds approach
·Make sure family members know where the emergency preparedness kits are at; stock up on non-perishable food items and water for your household, flashlights, first-aid kits, batteries, matches or lighters, portable stove, toiletries, etc. Visit https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit for more information on what to include in your supplies list
·Secure important documents such as birth certificates, tax papers, and insurance documents and keep copies in a water-proof bag
·Cover beds and furniture with plastic to prevent water damage
·Stay up to date in the event there are changes in weather conditions
OUTDOOR PREPARATIONS
·Secure your home – Prepare shutters in case they need to be put up tomorrow morning
·Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items that may become airborne with heavy winds, before inclement weather arrives
·Take down canopies and tarps
·Clear vegetation
·Take down any temporary signs, including those for political campaigns, advertisements, and any other wooden or loosely placed items as these have the ability to lift in heavy winds and cause damage to life and property
·Gas your vehicles and get fuel for your generators now while the weather is clear
Discuss your emergency plan with household members. Include pets as part of your plan.
Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action:
·         Clear drainage areas and un-block clogged storm drains in your area to minimize the chance of flooding
·         Residents living near rivers and streams need to review plans for protecting properties
·         Once heavy rains occur, avoid walking or driving through flood waters
·         Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away
·         If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground
·         If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
·         Avoid camping, parking, or hiking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
·         Visit https://www.ready.gov/floods to learn more.
Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:
·NWS Website: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/
·NWS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSGuam/
·GHS/OCD Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/
·GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/
·Governor Calvo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eddiebazacalvo/
·Joint Region Marianas Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrmguam/
For more information, contact the GHS/OCD 24/7 watch desk at (671) 475-9600 or (671) 482-7019.

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

JIC Release No. 1 - Guam to Move to COR 3 by 7 p.m.; Tropical Storm Expected South of Guam by Saturday Afternoon