Rear Adm. Brett Mietus, commander, Joint Region Marianas, set Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR) “Storm Watch,” an internal readiness term enabling military installations to take preparatory actions, earlier today at 10 a.m.. If forecasts hold, the next announcement from JRM will be for TCCOR 3, indicating sustained winds greater than 50 knots (57 mph) are possible within 48 hours, which is an important key difference in storm condition thresholds.
What to Expect
A breezy, but relatively dry trade-wind pattern is in place over the Marianas, but as Tropical Storm Sinlaku closes in, conditions will deteriorate sometime around late Sunday. The latest forecast track from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center shows an intensifying system, with potential to reach Category 3 or 4 status, around 120 mph, at its center as it makes a very close approach passing near Guam Monday night into Tuesday.
At this time, damaging winds of 39 mph or more are possible as early as Monday morning, with destructive typhoon-force winds of 74 mph or more possible for Guam Monday night or early Tuesday morning. Locally heavy rainfall is likely, with the potential for 10 to 15 inches near the center of Sinlaku.
Prepare Now
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautionary actions:
- Those living in flood-prone areas should take action now; clear drainage areas and unblock storm drains to minimize flooding;
- Stay up to date with the latest information;
- Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items that may become airborne with heavy winds, such as canopies, tarps, and trampolines, before inclement weather arrives;
- Secure construction sites
- Take down signs
- Have an emergency kit prepared: Store enough food and water for your household for 7-10 days. Include medication, disinfectant supplies and pet supplies;
- Secure important documents such as birth certificates, tax papers, and insurance documents and keep copies in a water-proof bag;
- Review your emergency plan: If you do not have a plan, learn how to create an emergency plan; Have plans for your family members and pets. If you are a person with disabilities or a caregiver for elderly, you may need to take extra steps to plan for those additional needs.
- Get emergency alerts: Stay informed by having a weather alert radio, battery-operated, or hand-crank radio, where you can listen to emergency news;
- Gas your vehicles and get fuel for your generators;
- Pull cash from the ATM in case of power outages;
- Don’t drive through flood waters: Almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low-lying areas at bridges and at highway dips. As little as 6 inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
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/
- JRM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrmguam
- JTF-M Facebook: https:www.facebook.com/1CdEchVcDs/