GHS/OCD Public Advisory: Guam Not in Path of Tropical Storm Saudel (17W)

Guam Is Not in the Path of Tropical Storm Saudel (17W); GHS/OCD Monitoring Closely

Issued: 10:45 AM ChST, Friday, August 21, 2026

Based on the current National Weather Service forecast, Guam is not in the path of Tropical Storm Saudel (17W). There are no tropical storm or typhoon watches or warnings in effect for Guam. Saudel is passing well east of Guam and moving northwest toward the far Northern Mariana Islands.

Guam Homeland Security and the Office of Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) is closely monitoring the system in coordination with the National Weather Service and will immediately advise the public if the forecast or the threat to Guam changes.

Current Status

As of 7:00 a.m. ChST today, the center of Saudel was approximately 305 miles east of Guam, moving northwest at 13 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. Saudel is forecast to continue northwest toward the far Northern Mariana Islands and intensify.

Warnings are in effect for portions of the far Northern Marianas, and tropical storm watches remain in effect for Tinian and Saipan. None of those watches or warnings include Guam.

Guam Hazard

While Saudel does not currently pose a direct tropical cyclone threat to Guam, swell associated with the system will produce a high risk of rip currents along east-facing reefs.

The National Weather Service has issued a High Rip Current Risk for east-facing reefs of Guam and the Marianas from 3:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday afternoon. An east-to-northeast swell associated with Saudel is expected to increase surf and produce dangerous rip currents.

What You Should Do Now

No tropical cyclone protective action is required for Guam at this time. Residents should continue normal activities while remaining aware of official updates from GHS/OCD and the National Weather Service.
Stay out of the water along east-facing shorelines through the weekend. Rip currents will be life threatening.
If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. Swim in a direction following the shoreline. If you can't escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

GHS/OCD continues to coordinate with the National Weather Service and will provide updates if conditions warrant.

September Is National Preparedness Month

Systems like Saudel are a reminder that this is Guam's most active time for tropical weather. September is National Preparedness Month, and GHS/OCD encourages every household to make a plan, build a kit, and know your alerts before the next storm threatens the island. Watch for GHS/OCD's National Preparedness Month activities throughout the month, including a community event at Micronesia Mall on September 19.

For the latest forecasts and warnings, visit weather.gov/gum. For GHS/OCD updates, visit ghs.guam.gov.

Media Contact:
Logan Reyes, Public Information Officer
Guam Homeland Security / Office of Civil Defense
media@ghs.guam.gov | (671) 475-9600

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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

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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.