JIC Release No. 4 - Tropical Depression 16W Continues West; Guam Remains in COR 3; GDOE Open Tuesday, August 17 - GHS OCD

The National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office Guam continues to monitor Tropical Depression 16W. As of 1 p.m., 16W was located 13.1 degrees north latitude and 150.6 degrees east longitude, about 360 miles east-southeast of Saipan and 395 miles east of Guam. It is currently moving west at 18 mph with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph.

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Guam and Rota. Damaging winds of 39 mph or more are possible Tuesday. Winds are then expected to decrease by Tuesday evening.

Although the possibility of damaging winds are becoming less likely, it is important to note that wind speed and direction could widely vary based on the exact location of the system when it passes Guam. Hazardous winds may cause damage to the flimsiest lean-to types of structures and minor damage to trees. There is still a potential for heavy rainfall. Rainfall amounts have been slightly lowered to 3-5 inches tonight through Tuesday night and possible short-term flooding of streams and rivers and poor drainage areas is still possible.

Guam Remains in COR 3
Further assessments will be conducted this evening, based on all available data, to determine if a change in Condition of Readiness (COR) is warranted but at this time, Guam remains in COR 3. At COR 3, schools and government of Guam operations are expected to continue as normal.

At this time, intensification of 16W is expected to hold off until after the system passes the Marianas. The current circulation center remains disorganized. NWS will continue to monitor and reevaluate in future advisories. 16W is forecast to slightly increase in strength to tropical storm intensity of 40 mph in the next 48 hours.

Based on all available data, emergency shelters are not warranted at this time.

The government of Guam and the Guam Department of Education schools are expected to resume normal operations tomorrow, August 17, 2021, unless additional weather information is received this evening that warrants a change in COR settings.

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

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. 4 - Tropical Depression 16W Continues West; Guam Remains in COR 3; GDOE Open Tuesday, August 17