Dry Weather Develops Across Micronesia; NWS Advisories in Effect

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a drought information statement, advising very dry weather is developing across many parts of Micronesia.

NWS advise during the last several weeks the northern Marshall Islands north of Majuro have received much less than normal rainfall. Dry conditions are expected to continue across the northern Marshall Islands for the next several weeks. Using computer model guidance, NWS advise drier than normal weather will continue across much of the Micronesia including the Marshall Islands, the Mariana Islands and northern and western parks of Chuuk state.

For the CNMI, rainfall has diminished over the commonwealth since January. Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the far Northern Mariana Islands will experience drought impacts during the coming weeks.

While Guam is expected to receive little better rainfall than other Mariana Islands, it is expected to become dry and will continue to be monitored carefully.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) advise the community to stay up to date for any changes or updates to NWS advisories. Watch for possible impacts to water resources and increased fire danger or severe wildfire season. Practice extreme caution in the coming weeks as any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.

A high risk of rip currents remains in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan through Saturday afternoon. Surf of 8 to 10 feet along east facing reefs is expected. Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore. If caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain calm and stay afloat while waiting for help. If swimming out of a rip current, swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current. Rip currents will be life threatening.

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 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.