JIC Release No. 18 - Guam Remains in COR 1; Closest Point of Approach Sunday Morning - GHS OCD

Hagåtña, Guam – Typhoon Wutip has slowed dramatically over the last few hours with its closest point of approach (CPA) now expected at 6 a.m. Sunday. Residents are advised to stay indoors while the island remains in Condition of Readiness (COR) 1.

As of 1 p.m., Wutip was located near 10.9N latitude and 143.5E latitude and about 195 miles south-southwest of Guam. The storm is moving northwest at a speed of 8 mph.

What to expect with the current track:

Low end tropical storm force winds of 35 – 45 mph with gusts as high as 55 mph are ongoing and are expected through Sunday morning
Closest point of approach (CPA) to Guam will be Sunday morning, about 185 miles southwest of Guam
6-8 inches of rainfall during Wutip’s passage

Any eastward shift of the track could bring heavier winds and rains to Guam and Rota. Stay out of the water and away from exposed beaches and shorelines. Seas and surf remain dangerous and will build to over 20 feet through the rest of the day.

A flash flood warning is in effect for Guam. Residents and visitors are advised to take precautionary measures:

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. If the water is moving, do not leave the car.
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.

Power Outages Reported:

Guam Power Authority (GPA) is working to restore power as long as it is safe to do so. GPA and the Joint Information Center received notifications of power outages in the following areas:

Parts of Yona (Pulantat, Suilo)
Parts of Mangilao (Pagat, Latte Heights)
Yigo along Chalan Lilian and Francisca Robit locations
Parts of Maina
Route 17 Cross Island Road

Power has been restored in the Alageta/Adacao area of Latte Plantation; Pulantat toward Talofofo; and Talofofo toward Inarajan. GPA advises customers to report vegetation or fallen tree limbs on power lines and all fallen power lines. Downed power lines may be energized and are dangerous.

Customers can report hazards that need to be addressed or a power outage by calling GPA's 24-Hour Trouble Dispatch Desk at (671) 475-1472/3/4, or via direct message on GPA’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/GuamPowerAuthority. When reporting, provide the exact location or address, contact information and condition of location. Do not, under any circumstance, attempt to remove items off of power lines or equipment as such situations can be dangerous and life threatening. If there is an emergency, contact 911.

Guam Waterworks Authority:

Typhoon Wutip conditions are affecting Ugum water production. A Water Conservation Advisory is in effect for the following villages:

Ipan
Inarajan
Merizo
Umatac

Flooding Update:

Department of Public Works (DPW) crews continue to clear debris in areas prone to flooding and will continue to provide assistance until it is no longer safe to do so. Flooding has been reported in the following areas:

Barcinas area in Merizo
Fanili St. in Agat
Polaris Point northbound
Umatac Bridge area
Talofofo: Ignacio Quitugua St., Francisco Reyes Ave., and North Leonardo St.

Route 17 has been cleared and is now deemed passable.

Busing services will remain available for those seeking emergency shelter but please keep in mind that services may cease should conditions worsen.

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/
Joint Region Marianas Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrmguam/

For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.

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. 18 - Guam Remains in COR 1; Closest Point of Approach Sunday Morning