JIC Release No. 18 - SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER; Direct Hit Possible by Super Typhoon Mawar - GHS OCD

The community is advised to SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER, if you have not done so already. The onset of damaging winds is expected this evening. Seek shelter now before it is unsafe to do so.

Mawar has been upgraded to a Super Typhoon. As of 5 p.m., Super Typhoon Mawar was located 11.9 degrees north latitude and 146.5 degrees east longitude, about 155 miles southeast of Guam and 230 miles south-southeast of Saipan. It is moving north at 5 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph.

Catastrophic Conditions Expected:

Based on the current forecast track, Super Typhoon Mawar is expected to make a direct hit or very near passage for Guam. There is a potential of a catastrophic and devastating event for Guam. Typhoon force winds are expected Wednesday morning, with peak conditions around midday.

Mawar’s current sustained winds are at 155 mph, which is a strong Category 4, low-end Category 5 storm, with potential to intensify. At this time, the timeline of the typhoon’s peak conditions on Guam is likely around midday Wednesday.

This is a very serious situation with steadily deteriorating conditions. The triple threat of Category 4 typhoon force winds, torrential rains, and life-threatening storm surge are all expected for Guam. Large storm surge and coastal impacts are likely to occur, particularly for coastal areas.

Emergency Shelter Update:

Residents whose homes are not safe against heavy winds or rains, or those that live in low-lying, flood-prone areas are advised to move to a designated emergency shelter.

M.U. Lujan Elementary School Emergency Shelter is closed, effective immediately. Residents in the area are advised to go immediately to any of the other shelters available. Emergency Shelter Numbers as of 7:00 p.m., Tuesday:

Emergency Shelter	Current Numbers	Max Capacity	% Capacity
AsTumbo Elementary	192	287	67%
Machananao Elementary School	217	334	65%
Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School	95	349	27%
Upi Elementary School	64	506	13%
Wettengel Elementary School	30	378	8%
B.P. Carbullido Elementary	31	242	13%
George Washington High School	50	500	11%
Harry S. Truman Elementary	12	422	3%
Inalåhan Middle School	29	352	8%
M.U. Lujan Elementary School	13	400	3%
Merizo Martyrs Memorial School	60	307	20%
Talo’fo’fo Elementary School	38	311	12%
Total	831	4,338	19%

Storm Shelter updates will be released as necessary.

Visit the following links for the latest advisory 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

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. 18 - SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER; Direct Hit Possible by Super Typhoon Mawar