JIC Release No. 18 - TYPHOON YUTU: Windshield Assessments to start at daylight; residents urged to stay indoors until all clear is given - GHS OCD

Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense and partner agencies will be assessing damage to the island in the wake of Super Typhoon Yutu. While Guam was spared the full brunt of the storm, it is not clear what damage may have occurred occurred throughout the night.

“We are thankful people are remaining indoors and heeding the cautions of emergency management. We have seen the storm behave erratically so taking precautionary actions seriously is key,” Governor Calvo stated.

“Although the worst of the storm has passed, we continue to remind residents and visitors to remain indoors until COR 4 is announced,” Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio said.

Tropical Storm Force Winds on Guam
As of 3 a.m. Guam had maximum winds of 60 mph – particularly up north – with occasional heavy rain showers. Current conditions will continue on Guam but are not expected to be worse than it is. Winds of 30 - 40 mph with gusts to 50 mph will continue through this morning and possibly into the early afternoon.

Once daylight begins, teams will do a windshield assessment. A determination on when COR 4 will be established will follow.

Dangerous Seas Continue
Combined seas between 12 and 16 feet and surf of 15 to 20 feet will cause hazardous sea conditions for Guam. Remain out of the water until hazardous seas subside. Surf will generate deadly rip currents.

Praying for the Northern Marianas
To the north, our families in Tinian and Saipan will likely continue to see typhoon-strength winds until as late as 8 a.m. They will remain in tropical-storm conditions, however, for a few more hours, according to the National Weather Service.

“Please join us in praying for our brothers and sisters in Saipan and Tinian,” Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio stated.

Meteorologists said the eye passed right over Tinian and southern Saipan. At around 3 a.m., the second half of the storm was going over the islands, and at that point, severe winds of 120 to 140 mph (with gusts up to 200 mph) were expected for about another hour. Typhoon force winds are expected to continue for Saipan and Tinian until about 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and tropical storm winds will continue for most of the day in the Northern Marianas.

Flooding Still Possible
A flash flood watch is in effect for Guam, Rota, Saipan, and Tinian through late Thursday night. Heavy rainfall associated with Super Typhoon Yutu could produce flash flooding across the Marianas. A flash flood watch means conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding.

Residents and visitors are advised to take precautionary actions:
•           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.

Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:
·         NWS Website: https://www.weather.gov/gum/
·         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 Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10 or the GHS/OCD 24/7-Watch Desk at (671) 475-9600 or (671) 482-7019.

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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 - TYPHOON YUTU: Windshield Assessments to start at daylight; residents urged to stay indoors until all clear is given