JIC Release No. 3 - Guam expects to move to COR 2 at noon Wednesday; Typhoon Yutu Path Shifts Slightly South - GHS OCD

Governor Eddie Baza Calvo and Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, commander, Joint Region Marianas, expect to put Guam in Condition of Readiness (COR) 2 at noon, tomorrow October 24, for Guam and the military bases, respectively.

Meteorologists from the National Weather Service this evening said Typhoon Yutu’s projected path shifted enough to the south to send damaging winds of 39 mph over Guam and its coastal waters Wednesday evening.

The closest point of approach for Guam is early morning Thursday. At that point, Guam could see winds as high as 50 mph to 55 mph with stronger gusts.

We have seen Mother Nature change quickly and urge the community to pay attention to weather reports and take preventive measures as early as possible.

Government of Guam
Government of Guam will resume normal operations at 8 a.m. but shut down at noon tomorrow.

Superintendent Jon Fernandez announced the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) schools will be closed tomorrow. Preparations will be made tomorrow for the opening of emergency shelters. Essential personnel are advised to check in with their supervisors tomorrow morning. More information on opening times and locations of emergency shelters is forthcoming.

Military
The AAFES Gas Express and Shoppette, located at the Guam National Guard Readiness Center in Barrigada will be open until noon tomorrow, October 24, until Guam is placed in Condition of Readiness 2.

Military personnel and DoD employees, to include faculty and students at DoDEA schools are to report at normal hours to receive further guidance.

Weather Update
As of 8 p.m., Guam was upgraded to a tropical storm warning. Weather will start deteriorating tomorrow afternoon.

As of 8 p.m., Yutu was located 12.1 degrees north latitude, 150.2 degrees east longitude, about 380 miles east-southeast of Guam and 365 miles southeast of Saipan.  Yutu is moving west-northwest at 12 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. The current track brings Yutu south of Tinian by early Thursday morning, as a 125 mph Category 3 typhoon.

The onset of damaging winds of 39 mph is expected for Guam early Wednesday evening. Maximum sustained winds of 45 mph but as high as 55 mph with higher gusts are possible for Guam.

Use Tomorrow Morning to Prepare
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 (forecast to be by late Wednesday afternoon)
•      Locate or prepare your emergency preparedness kits for your household and ensure every family member is aware of its location; 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
•      If you live in an area prone to flooding, cover beds and furniture with plastic to prevent water damage
•      Stay up to date in the event there are changes in weather conditions or Conditions of Readiness
•      Do your laundry now

Outdoor Preparations:
•      Secure your home – put shutters on windows, completely board up your home if it cannot withstand damaging winds
•      Ensure the gas valve is shut off once damaging winds approach (forecast to be by late afternoon Wednesday)
•      Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items that may become airborne with heavy winds such as canopies, tarps and trampolines, before inclement weather arrives
•      Clear vegetation
•      Take down any temporary signs, including those for political campaigns, advertisements, and any other wooden or loosely placed items that have the ability to lift in heavy winds and cause damage to life and property
•      Gas your vehicles and get fuel for your generators while the weather is clear
•      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 now to minimize the chance of flooding.
•      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. 3 - Guam expects to move to COR 2 at noon Wednesday; Typhoon Yutu Path Shifts Slightly South