- SPECIAL BULLETIN -

The Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), in coordination with the National Weather Service (NWS) Tiyan, is advising the public that hazardous weather conditions will continue to affect Guam through the weekend. According to the NWS, as of 1 p.m. ChST, Category 2 Typhoon Choi-wan was located approximately 385 miles north of Guam, near Agrihan, and moving northeast at 7 mph. Guam is not under a Tropical Storm Warning or Typhoon Warning. However, the monsoon surge along the storm's southern periphery continues to bring strong winds, heavy rain, and dangerous surf and marine conditions to the island.

The NWS reports that strong, gusty winds at near-tropical-storm force will continue across Guam today and can cause damage, with wind gusts possibly reaching 50 mph. This is a multi-day event, with hazardous wind, seas, and surf expected to persist through the weekend and likely into early next week.


Current Hazards for Guam

The following NWS products are in effect for Guam:

Flood Watch — through late Sunday night, October 4. Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall remains possible, with 4 to 6 inches of rain forecast through the watch period.

Wind Advisory — until 4 a.m. Sunday, October 4. Southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph are expected.

Gale Warning — Guam coastal waters, until 5 p.m. Saturday, October 3. Southwest winds of 25 to 35 knots, frequent gusts up to 45 knots, and seas of 15 to 18 feet. A Hazardous Seas Watch is in effect from 5 p.m. Saturday through 5 p.m. Sunday, October 4, with possible seas of 15 feet or greater.

High Surf Advisory — until 4 a.m. Monday, October 5. Large breaking waves of 8 to 12 feet along north, south, and west facing reefs.

High Rip Current Risk — through late Sunday night, October 4. Dangerous, life-threatening rip currents along north, south, and west facing reefs.


What You Should Do Now

GHS/OCD urges residents and motorists to take the following protective actions:

• Monitor later forecasts and be prepared to act if a Flash Flood Warning is issued.
• Do not drive on flooded roads. Turn Around, Don't Drown. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
• Secure loose objects outdoors that can be blown around by gusty winds.
• Use extra caution when driving, especially in high-profile vehicles. Tree limbs could fall, and a few power outages may occur.
• Stay out of the water and clear of reefs and shorelines. Water conditions remain dangerous due to high surf and life-threatening rip currents.
• Mariners should avoid boating in hazardous conditions and heed the Gale Warning for local coastal waters.

GHS/OCD continues to coordinate with NWS Tiyan and will provide additional information as conditions change.

For the latest official weather information, visit the National Weather Service at weather.gov/gum. For preparedness information, visit ghs.guam.gov or contact GHS/OCD at 475-9600.


Media Contact:
Logan Reyes
Acting Public Information Officer
Guam Homeland Security / Office of Civil Defense
logan.reyes@guam.gov