JIC Release No. 2 - Tropical Storm Watch in effect for Guam and CNMI; Take Precautions Now - GHS OCD

The National Weather Service (NWS) - Guam Weather Forecast Office continues to monitor Tropical Storm Wutip. NWS has placed Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan in a Tropical Storm Watch.

Guam remains in Condition of Readiness 3 at this time.

As of 7 a.m., Wutip was located 655 miles southeast of Guam, 675 miles south-southeast of Rota, 715 miles south-southeast of Saipan and Tinian. Wutip is moving west at 16 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.

On its current track, Wutip’s closest point of approach (CPA) to Guam is expected around midnight Saturday about 150 miles southwest of Guam. Although the CPA is expected around midnight Saturday, the onset of damaging winds of 39 mph or more is expected around 3 a.m. Saturday and is expected to last through Sunday. The onset of destructive winds of 58 mph or more is not expected at this time. The worst conditions will be Saturday night into Sunday morning. Rainfall of 4-6 inches is expected during Wutip’s passage.

Acting Governor Joshua F. Tenorio encourages everyone to take precautionary measures.

“Please use today and tomorrow to review your plans and stock up on emergency supplies to ensure your safety. While the storm is tracking south of Guam, we need to be prepared in case there is any northward shift of its current track, bringing damaging and even destructive winds to our area. Our office will continue to work with government of Guam, military and federal partners and we ask the community to make preparations at home as well,” the Acting Governor stated.

Currently, possible impact for Guam is some downed limbs and vegetation, light damage to poorly constructed buildings, damage to signs along the roads, and very strong rip currents.

Government of Guam continues normal operations at this time.

All bases remain open for normal operations. All DoD employees are advised to contact their respective supervisors or chains of command for guidance, and stay tuned to Joint Region Marianas and base installation social media pages for further reports, guidance and information about facilities and services.

Take Precautionary Actions Now

Indoors:
· Roll up carpets away from doors and windows
· Make lighting supplies easily accessible
· Unplug all appliances and ensure energy breakers are switched off once damaging winds approach (forecast to be by early Saturday morning)
· Locate or prepare your emergency preparedness kits for your household; stock up on non-perishable food items and water for your household, flashlights, first-aid kits, batteries, matches or lighters, portable stove, toiletries, etc. Visit https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit for more information on what to include in your supplies list.
· Secure important documents such as birth certificates, tax papers, and insurance documents and keep copies in a water-proof bag
· If you live in an area prone to flooding, cover beds and furniture with plastic to prevent water damage
· Stay up to date in the event there are changes in weather conditions
· Do your laundry now

Outdoors:
· Secure your home – put shutters on windows, completely board up your home if windows cannot withstand damaging winds
· Ensure the gas valve is shut off once damaging winds approach (forecast to be by early Saturday morning)
· 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
· Clear vegetation
· Take down any temporary signs, advertisements, and any other wooden or loosely placed items as these have the ability to lift in heavy winds and cause damage to life and property
· Gas your vehicles and get fuel for your generators now while the weather is clear
· Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action; clear drainage areas and un-block clogged storm drains in your area now to minimize the chance of flooding.
· Once inclement weather arrives as early as Saturday, avoid camping, parking, or hiking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
· Visit https://www.ready.gov/floods to learn more.

Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:
· NWS Website: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/
· NWS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSGuam/
· GHS/OCD Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/
· GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/
· Joint Region Marianas Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrmguam/

For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10 or the GHS/OCD 24/7 watch desk at (671) 475-9600.

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. 2 - Tropical Storm Watch in effect for Guam and CNMI; Take Precautions Now