NWS Weather Advisories in effect; residents urged to heed warnings and drive carefully

The National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office Guam has issued the following advisories for the Marianas:

A high surf advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. (ChST) Tuesday evening.

West facing reefs – Surf will increase from 7 feet to 9 to 11 feet by Monday evening.
There will also be high risk of rip currents.
This means that high surf will affect beaches in the west facing reefs producing localized beach erosion and dangerous swimming conditions.

Avoid venturing near reef lines and beaches.

Should you be caught in a rip current:

Yell for help, remain calm.
Do not exhaust yourself, attempt to stay afloat while waiting for help.
Should you have the need to swim out, swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible.
Do not swim directly against the rip current as you will tire quickly.
Do not enter or swim alone. Always inform a family member or friend should you enter the waters.

A small craft advisory is in effect until 10:00p.m. (ChST) Tuesday morning.

Winds at 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots.
This means winds speeds of 21 to 33 knots are expected to produce wave conditions hazardous to small craft.
Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels should avoid sailing in these conditions.

A flash flood advisory remains in effect until 6:00p.m. (ChST) Monday evening.

Residents living in areas prone to flooding should clear drainage areas and un-block clogged storm drains in your area to minimize the change of flooding.
Avoid walking or driving through flood water.
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. Do not wait for alerts or warnings.
If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water as the current may be carrying debris from your surroundings.
Avoid hiking, camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas could flood quickly and with little or no warning.

We will continue to monitor the storm as it maintains its general course and speed over the next 24 hours.

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/

For more information, contact GHS/OCD Acting Public Information Officer, Dee Cruz at (671) 478-0291 or via email at dee.cruz@ghs.guam.gov.

OFFICES OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENSE
I Tano’ Guahan/Ufisinan Difensia Sibet
221-B Chalan Palasyo, Agana Heights, Guam 96910 Tel: (671) 475-9600 / Fax: (671) 477-3727
Website: www.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

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.