Tropical Storm Warning in Effect for Guam; Tropical Depression 29W Forms North of Chuuk

The National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office Guam, continue to monitor what is now Tropical Depression 29W, formerly known as Invest Area 94W.

A tropical storm warning is now in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan, meaning tropical storm conditions, including damaging winds of 39 mph or more are expected this evening through Wednesday afternoon.

As of 7 a.m., 29W was located 9.4 degrees north latitude and 150.2 degrees east longitude, about 175 miles northwest of Chuuk and 465 miles southeast of Guam. It is currently moving west north-west at 17 mph with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph.

On its current track, the tropical depression is expected to intensify slowly through tonight, possibly becoming a tropical storm early Wednesday.

Guam remains in Condition of Readiness 4 at this time but this may change. To prepare for any scenario the Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) advise the community to take basic precautionary actions now:

Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items that may become airborne with heavy winds, such as canopies, tarps or trampolines;
Stay up to date with the latest information and advisory updates;
If planning outdoor activities, have alternate plans in place;
Avoid the ocean throughout the week. Rip currents are life threatening;
Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags, and signs.

Stay up to date with the latest advisory information through the following sites:

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) 478-0208 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.