JIC Release No. 3 - Wutip Continues Toward the Marianas as a Typhoon; GovGuam to Continue Normal Operations Until COR 2 is Announced - GHS OCD

The National Weather Service (NWS) - Guam Weather Forecast Office continues to monitor Wutip, which was upgraded to a typhoon this afternoon.

As of 4 p.m., Wutip was located near latitude 6.9 degrees north and longitude 149.3 degrees east, about 185 miles west-southwest of Chuuk and 550 miles southeast of Guam; moving west-northwest at 16 mph with maximum sustained winds now at 75 mph.

On its current track, Typhoon Wutip is forecast to make its closest point of approach (CPA) to Guam 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 and Brig. Gen. Gentry Boswell, deputy commander, Joint Region Marianas, continue to work together to align Conditions of Readiness (COR) for the island. Acting Governor Tenorio and Brig. Gen. Boswell anticipate placing Guam and the respective military bases in COR 2 sometime tomorrow, February 22, 2019 but will continue normal operations, respectively until such time.

Government of Guam, including Guam Department of Education schools will be open and will continue normal operations tomorrow unless COR 2 is announced. All military bases remain open for normal operations unless COR 2 is announced. 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.

Those whose homes are not made to withstand damaging winds are advised to stay up to date with important information regarding emergency shelters, which will be released at a later time. Be prepared to take action once COR 2 is announced sometime tomorrow.

Any northward deviation of the current forecast track or forward speed would bring stronger winds to Guam and sooner. The community is advised to be prepared for any scenario.

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
Secure your work stations

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 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. 3 - Wutip Continues Toward the Marianas as a Typhoon; GovGuam to Continue Normal Operations Until COR 2 is Announced