JIC Release No. 3 - Tropical Storm Mawar Continues Toward the Marianas; Guam to Move to COR 2 at 8 pm Tonight - GHS OCD

Officials continue to monitor the developing system which has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Mawar. As of 7 a.m., Mawar was located 6.4 degrees north latitude and 149.1 degrees east longitude, 40 miles south of Polowat, 200 miles west-southwest of Chuuk, and 570 miles south-southeast of Guam. It is moving north-northwest at 5 mph with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. Tropical Storm Mawar is expected to intensify through tonight, possibly becoming a typhoon.

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero anticipates placing Guam in Condition of Readiness (COR) 2 at 8 p.m. this evening. At COR2, the Government of Guam, with the exception of essential services, will not be operational and will remain closed until COR 4 is announced. Residents are strongly advised to use this time to prepare.

Concurrently, Joint Region Marianas (JRM), Naval Base Guam (NBG), Andersen Air Force Base (AAFB), and Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz (MCBCB) will be in Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR) 2 at 8 p.m. this evening. The Department of Defense (DoD) will delay implementing some of the TCCOR2 actions until Tuesday, May 23, to minimize impact to installation services (Child Development Center, Exchange, Commissary, etc.) DoDEA schools will remain open on Monday, May 22. For installation-specific operations or questions, please consult the respective installation Facebook page or reach out to the Public Affairs Officer.

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) is preparing to open certain emergency shelters at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 22. More information is forthcoming regarding locations, rules and regulations. Emergency shelters will NOT be open until tomorrow. Do not attempt to go to any emergency shelter until the designated opening time.

What to expect:
At this time, the current forecast track has the system moving through the Marianas, between Guam and Rota. It is important to remember that the system track may change in the coming days and any deviation could potentially bring typhoon force winds directly over Guam. Any one, or several, Mariana Islands may take a near miss or a direct hit this week.

A typhoon watch remains in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. A typhoon watch means that typhoon conditions are possible, with tropical storm force (sustained winds of 39 mph and greater) conditions arriving within the next 48 hours. There is an increasing likelihood for tropical storm to typhoon force impacts around midweek. The anticipated timing is expected between late Tuesday to early Thursday. Heavy rainfall is likely much of this week, with 9 to 15 inches remaining a possibility through the end of this week.

What should you do:
The community is advised to finish the following preparedness actions by tomorrow:

Stay up to date – monitor local news, National Weather Service and the Joint Information Center;
If you have not done so, put up shutters now. Do not wait for winds to increase by Tuesday;
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;
Keep emergency preparedness kit readily available, with battery operated radio, flashlights and extra batteries;
Secure important documents such as birth certificates, tax papers, and insurance documents and keep copies in a water-proof bag;
Unplug all appliances and ensure energy breakers are switched off once damaging winds approach;
If you live in an area prone to flooding, cover beds and furniture with plastic to prevent water damage;
Ensure pets are part of your emergency plans (i.e. have enough supplies, bring them indoors, plan to keep them with a loved one or family member);
Do not camp, park, or hike along streams, rivers, and creeks. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning;
Gas your vehicles and get fuel for your generators now while the weather is clear;
When you’re done securing your homes and you know someone elderly, living with a disability, or who will otherwise need help, please see how you can help them. If you know a neighbor or family member who has no way of getting information about the storm, please let them know the updates.

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/
JRM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrmguam

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 - Tropical Storm Mawar Continues Toward the Marianas; Guam to Move to COR 2 at 8 pm Tonight