Press Release- Heavy Rain over the Weekend; Home preparation tips

The National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office Guam issued a Weather Update to provide information regarding Tropical Disturbance 99W currently northwest of Chuuk, which will bring locally heavy rainfall of 4-8 inches across the region. Currently there are no Tropical Storm Watches or Warnings in effect or expected.

What to Expect:

Flood Potential

Urban and Small stream flooding is possible with heavy showers.

Flash flooding is possible late Saturday through Tuesday.

Wind

10-20 mph with gusts up to 30mph Saturday evening through Sunday evening.

Surf

Hazardous surf and high surf with possible risk of rip currents possible by Saturday

Coastal Waters

Winds and seas possibly becoming hazardous Saturday

The offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense remind residents to continue closely monitor official channels for updates and begin by assessing possible preparations around your household:

Preparation Tips:

The community is advised to take the following preparedness actions this weekend:

Those living in flood-prone areas should take action; clear drainage areas and unblock storm drains to minimize flooding;
Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items, such as tents and canopies, that may become airborne with heavy winds, before inclement weather arrives;
Stay up to date with the latest information. The system track or intensity may change, and advisories may be issued;
Be prepared to take action if shutters are warranted;

Visit the following links for the latest 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

For more information, contact Acting Public Information Officer Stephen Cahill at (671) 489-9517 or via email at stephen.cahill@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.