Tropical Disturbance Expected to Impact Marianas; Take Action to Prepare

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office continues to monitor Invest 97W, which has been upgraded to a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center to a rating of high, meaning tropical cyclone development is likely within the next 24 hours.

As of 7:30 a.m., the system was located about 200 miles south-southeast of Satawal and about 610 miles south-southeast of Guam, near 5 degrees north latitude and 149 degrees east longitude. It is tracking westward around 6 mph.

Current forecast has 97W favoring a track toward the Marianas, with a passage very near or over some parts of Guam or the CNMI early next week. Through the weekend, clear weather is expected for the Marianas before inclement weather arrives as early as Monday and continuing through Wednesday, with heavy rainfalls possible.

High uncertainty remains for the exact forecast track and intensity of the system as it approaches the Marianas. For Guam, it is expected to approach between Monday and Wednesday, with a potential for tropical storm to low-end typhoon force impacts. There remains a possibility for damaging to destructive winds and heavy rains, with increasing potential for hazardous sea conditions.

The community is advised to take the following preparedness actions between now and 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;
Locate or prepare your emergency preparedness kits for your household;
Secure important documents such as birth certificates, tax papers, and insurance documents, and keep copies in a water-proof bag;
Gas your vehicles and get fuel for your generators;
Be prepared to take action if shutters are recommended in the coming days

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/

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

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.