JIC Release No. 6 - Prepare for Worst Case Scenario; Typhoon could be Life-Threatening for Any Unprepared - GHS OCD

Guamanians are urged to prepare for a worst case scenario with Tropical Storm Mangkhut. Meteorologists say it will likely turn into a Category 4 typhoon by Tuesdaybut it could strengthen to a Category 5 typhoon.

At this point, damaging winds of 39 mph or more are expected by Monday night. All Guamanians are urged to have preparations completed and to have families secured at their homes by Monday evening.

Category 5 Typhoon Possible

As of the latest National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office advisory at 11 a.m., the tropical storm was located 13.7 degrees north latitude and 162.3 degrees east longitude; about 1180 miles east of Guam, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.

The tropical depression will continue its westward track and is expected to intensify, possibly becoming a Category 5 typhoon by the time it reaches Guam lateTuesday or early Wednesday.

Category 5 Typhoon is referred to as a “Devastating Typhoon” with maximum sustained winds of 157-194 mph and peak gusts of 199-264 mph.

A Category 5 typhoon has the ability to be life-threatening to those that do not prepare in advance.

These projections may change as the intensity and conditions have the ability to worsen.

INDOOR PREPARATIONS

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 late Monday)
Make sure family members know where the emergency preparedness kits are at; 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
Cover beds and furniture with plastic to prevent water damage
Stay up to date in the event there are changes in weather conditions

OUTDOOR PREPARATIONS

Secure your home – put shutters on windows, completely board up your home
Make sure the gas valve is shut off once the storm approaches (forecast to be by late Tuesday)
Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items that may become airborne with heavy winds, before inclement weather arrives
Clear vegetation
Take down any temporary signs, including those for political campaigns, 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
Collect water in a 55-gallon drum or plastic containers

For those with solar panels:

Do not touch the solar panels – systems are set to withstand up to 200 mph and has been secured, tied down and inspected
Remove any debris from the rooftop before the storm, so it does not affect the solar panels
Do not try to fix or move the solar panels before, during, or after the storm. Contact the Micronesia Renewable Energy office for this.

Discuss your emergency plan with household members. Include pets as part of your plan.
Those that live in substandard housing are advised to seek shelter once emergency shelters are operational. A complete list of available shelters will be provided by the Joint Information Center.
Guam Memorial Hospital is making preparations for pregnant mothers. More information will be provided by the Joint Information Center.
Those that rely on electricity to power machines for health reasons need to make arrangements now with a relative or neighbor with a working generator to stay with them early next week for the duration of the storm.

U.S. Coast Guard - Port Heavy Weather Condition X-RAY

U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) for Guam has established Port Heavy Weather Condition X-RAY for the ports of Guam, Saipan, Rota, and Tinian at8:30 a.m. Saturday.
At port Heavy Weather Condition X-RAY, the READINESS condition consists of winds above 39 mph expected within 48 hours. At Port Heavy Weather Condition YANKEE the WARNING condition consists of winds above 39 mph expected within 24 hours.

In accordance with Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 160.111(c), the COTP hereby orders the following:
- All commercial vessels must prepare to complete cargo operations and depart the ports of CNMI when PHWC Yankee is established. Vessels not under power, also known as dead ships, or vessels, barges, and drydocks unable to put to sea must make a promptly written application to the COTP.

Stay Up To Date
Due to projected intensity of the system when it reaches the Marianas, residents and visitors are advised to stay up to date with the latest information from local media and the following links:
· 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/
· Governor Calvo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eddiebazacalvo/

For more information, contact the GHS/OCD 24/7 watch desk at (671) 475-9600 or (671) 482-7019.

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. 6 - Prepare for Worst Case Scenario; Typhoon could be Life-Threatening for Any Unprepared