JIC Release No. 11 - Eye of Bolaven Making Passage Just North of Rota; Heavy Rains will Continue - GHS OCD

Eye of Bolaven Making Passage Just North of Rota; Heavy Rains will Continue

Guam remains in Condition of Readiness (COR) 1 at this time. The community is advised to remain indoors until COR 4 is announced.

As of 4 p.m., Typhoon Bolaven was located near 14.4 degrees north latitude and 145.6 degrees east longitude, about 70 miles northeast of Guam, moving northwest at 10 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. Based on current data, as of 5 p.m., the eye of the storm was beginning to make a passage just north of Rota.

Guam is experiencing a heavy rain event. The closest point of approach is ongoing but the heavy rains are still expected for Guam. Rainfall amounts up to 8-14 inches are expected through Wednesday morning.

Flash Flood Warning in Effect
A flash flood warning remains in effect islandwide for Guam until 7:15 p.m. Between 2 and 5 inches of rain has already fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1.25 to 2.5 inches in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

Be aware of your surroundings and remain off the roadways;
Be alert for low visibilities in heavy rain;
Slow down where water is ponding on the road;
Turn Around, Don’t Drown. 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 you are in potentially affected areas, you should be familiar with evacuation routes, have a family emergency communications plan, keep a battery-powered radio handy and have plans for your family members and pets. For people with disabilities, you may need to take additional steps to plan for both your needs and that of your service animal;
Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters;
Stay off bridges over fast-moving water;
If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay inside. If water is rising inside the vehicle, seek refuge on the roof;
Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock.

Stay Out of the Water
Life-threatening swimming conditions and significant beach erosion can be expected. Residents and visitors of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are advised to remain out of the water. Residents and visitors are also advised against venturing along trails close to the water or shoreline, as high surf can knock a person down and sweep them off beaches and rocks. These waves can be deadly, even for the most experienced swimmers.

Residents should also be informed that during the storm, rescue personnel may not be able to respond due to deteriorating weather conditions. Resources such as boats, jet skis, and aircraft normally involved in search and rescue operations have been secured due to conditions being too dangerous.

Emergency Shelters Update
If you need to evacuate to an emergency shelter, before you leave home, shut off your incoming electricity at the main breaker or switch, usually located by the electric meter or in the circuit breaker panel.

If you are dependent on an electrically-powered life support system, consider having a backup generator. Otherwise, make plans ahead of time to go to an alternate location where electricity will be available.

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) opened six (6) emergency shelters at 6 p.m. this evening. GDOE is able to accommodate O2 dependent residents who need a power source at certain emergency shelters. See below for more information:

As of 5:00 p.m.:

Emergency Shelter	Current Numbers	Max Capacity	% Capacity
AsTumbo Elementary School	107	182	59%
Machanaonao Elementary School	204	208	98%
Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School*	103	285	36%
Upi Elementary School	2	336	1%
George Washington High School*	33	100	31%
Talo’fo’fo Elementary School*	32	311	8%
Total	481	1422	34%

*Emergency shelter able to accommodate O2 dependent residents

Visit the Joint Region Marianas Facebook Page:
For all military base patrons, please continue to visit the JRM Facebook page as well as each of the individual military installation social media pages for all of the latest information about various closures and availability of services.

Visit GIAA Website for Live Flight Data:
The Guam International Airport Authority (GIAA) reminds the community that the airport is open 24/7 and will service any and all airline flights. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates. Visit https://www.guamairport.com/ to view live flight data.

GFD Issues Waiver for Fire Permit Requirement
The Guam Fire Department has waived the Fire Permit Requirement for gasoline and diesel up to 20 gallons individual portable containers until October 22, 2023. The waiver shall not be construed as an approval of violating any Federal or Local Highway fuel transportation requirements. The waiver does not include non-portable containers. Portable containers shall not be filled while located inside the trunk or passenger compartment of a vehicle. Containers must be of an approved material and construction designed for the type of fuel. It must have a tight closure with a screwed or spring-loaded cover so designed that the contents can be dispensed without spilling. The maximum aggregate amount for portable containers shall be 20 gallons. Portable containers shall be properly secured to the vehicle while in transit.

It is against the law to use unapproved containers when filling fuel.

Fuel service stations shall be responsible for:

Ensuring that the fuel containers are UL and/or FM approved.
Documentation of individuals employing the waiver shall include name, vehicle license plate number, quantity, and destination.
Fuel service stations shall provide the user of the waiver with a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the respective fuel purchased.
Customers shall be 18 years of age or older.

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
AAFB Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Andersen36WG
NBG Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USNavalBaseGuam
MCBCB Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MCBcampblaz
Tune in to local radio stations: Boss 104 FM, Hit Radio 100 100.3 FM, Kool FM 92.7, KPRG 89.3 FM, The Point 93.3 FM and 1350 AM and Star 101 FM, KSTO 95.5, KISH FM 102.9

For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.

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.

JIC Release No. 11 - Eye of Bolaven Making Passage Just North of Rota; Heavy Rains will Continue