NWS Advisories in Effect

The system the National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office Guam, continues to monitor is now Typhoon Maria and continues to move further away from the Marianas, not posing a direct threat. Although Typhoon Maria has left the Marianas, NWS continues to have the following advisories in effect:

Through 8 a.m., scattered showers and thunderstorms will bring 1 to 2 inches of rain and occasional cloud to ground lightning to Guam and the adjacent coastal waters.

While driving, be alert for low visibilities in very heavy rain and watch for local flooding of roads. If boating, seek shelter below deck if you see lightning or hear thunder.

A small craft advisory is in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan coastal waters until 6 a.m. Sunday. In the wake of Typhoon Maria, winds up to 25 knots and seas of 10 feet or more will persist through Saturday night. These hazardous conditions are mainly expected in the waters west of the islands. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid sailing in these conditions.

A high surf advisory for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan west facing reefs, is in effect through Sunday night. Hazardous surf of 8 to 10 feet and life-threatening rip currents along west facing reefs are expected through Saturday. Avoid venturing near reef lines and beaches, especially those facing west. Large breaking waves can knock you down and cause serious injuries. If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not swim directly against a rip current.

A thunderstorm warning is in effect for the Guam International Airport until 7 a.m. this morning and a thunderstorm advisory is in effect until 7:30 a.m.Thunderstorms are occurring within 5 nautical miles of the airport. Be alert and take precautions as required.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) remind residents and visitors to practice extreme caution while traveling on the roadways, allowing enough braking distance between cars to avoid collisions. Seek shelter if lightning is seen or thunder is heard.

Visit the following sites 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/

For more information, contact GHS/OCD Public Information Officer, Jenna G. Blas at (671) 489-2540 or via email at jenna.g.blas@ghs.guam.gov.

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

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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.