Tropical Storm Watch in Effect for Guam and Rota; Take Necessary Precautions

The National Weather Service (NWS) – Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a tropical storm watch for Guam and Rota as a tropical depression moves toward the Marianas.

A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions, including damaging winds of 39 mph or more are possible within the next 24 hours.

As of 1 p.m., the tropical depression was located 7.7 degrees north latitude and 150.2 degrees east longitude; about 115 miles west of Chuuk and 545 miles southeast of Guam, with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph.

The tropical depression is moving west and will likely become a tropical storm tonight. The current forecast track would bring the system south of Guam on Saturday afternoon.

NWS Advisories
A high surf advisory is in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan until 6 a.m. Monday. A high risk of rip currents is in effect through late Sunday night. Hazardous surf of 7 to 9 feet today is expected to build between 8 and 10 feet Saturday. The risk of rip currents is high. Avoid venturing near reefs 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 attempt to swim directly against a rip current. Strong rip currents will be life threatening.
A thunderstorm advisory is in effect for the Guam International Airport until 4 p.m. this afternoon. Thunderstorms are possible or occurring within 20 nautical miles of the airport. Be alert and take shelter if lightning is seen or thunder is heard.

Plan Ahead

Due to the uncertainty of exactly how close to Guam the disturbance will pass and the strength, it is advised to take basic precautionary actions now:
·Stay up to date with the latest information. The storm track or intensity may change and advisories regarding flash flooding or dangerous seas may be issued.
·Locate or prepare your emergency preparedness kits for your household; stock up on non-perishable food items and water for your household, flashlights, first-aid kits, batteries, matches or lighters, portable stove, toiletries, etc. Visit https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit for more information on what to include in your supplies list.
·Secure important documents such as birth certificates, tax papers, and insurance documents and keep copies in a water-proof bag.
·Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items that may become airborne with heavy winds, before inclement weather arrives.
·Gas your vehicles and get fuel for your generators now while the weather is clear.

Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action:
·Clear drainage areas and un-block clogged storm drains in your area to minimize the chance of flooding
·Residents living near rivers and streams need to review plans for protecting properties
·Once heavy rains occur, avoid walking or driving through flood waters
·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
·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.
·Avoid camping, parking, or hiking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
·Visit https://www.ready.gov/floods to learn more.
The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) remind the community to practice caution while traveling in rainy conditions through the weekend and avoid the ocean until hazardous conditions subside. Take flood preparedness action now and avoid hiking or camping near flood prone areas.

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 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.