JIC Release No. 7 - Guam in COR 4 by 2 p.m.; Locally Heavy Rainfall Possible into late Evening - GHS OCD

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson will place Guam and the respective military bases in Condition of Readiness (COR) 4 at 2 p.m., following the passage of Tropical Depression 16W.

“We thank our Guam community for staying ready and taking the necessary precautions to prepare their homes and families in the event the weather turned for the worst,” said Governor Leon Guerrero. “I also want to thank our GovGuam agencies and our island mayors who were prepared to stage resources and bring immediate help to those who would’ve been most affected by potential storm conditions. Thankfully, we were spared any damaging winds and rains, but this is a reminder that we should always be prepared during the typhoon season.”

“JRM has returned military services island-wide to normal activities and operations,” said JRM Commander Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson. “The safety of our service members, civilian and contractor staff, and their families remains our priority. We will continue to monitor weather conditions as they develop and make the best decisions to safeguard our personnel and military assets.”

Tropical Depression 16W made its closest point of approach (CPA) to Guam between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., noon, today and is continuing westward into the open Philippine Sea. Guam did not experience damaging winds of 39 mph or more. Weather observations showed strongest winds and gusts early this morning, before sunrise, as heavy showers and thunderstorms moved over the island. Sustained winds of 31 mph with gusts to 37 mph were recorded at Andersen AFB, with gusts to 31 mph also observed at the Guam International Airport between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Sustained winds subsided as the center of 16W approached and moved to the west of Guam.

Early-morning rains brought 1 to 1.5 inches of rain with Doppler radar rainfall estimates indicating areas of 3 to 5 inches just off-shore Guam in the past 12 hours. Winds will shift to the south later this afternoon and southeast overnight with the likelihood of strong gusts quickly diminishing. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to redevelop this evening, with some heavy showers still possible.

The community is reminded to practice caution while traveling in rainy conditions through this evening, driving below the speed limit and allowing enough braking distance between vehicles.

A flash flood watch remains in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan through late tonight. A flash flood watch means conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Heavy rainfall of 2 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts are possible through tonight. Avoid camping, parking, or hiking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.

A small craft advisory is in effect for the coastal waters of Rota, Tinian, and Saipan until midnight tonight. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft for those islands. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

This will be the final statement issued by the Joint Information Center unless additional action is necessary. For the latest advisory information, visit the following links:

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

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. 7 - Guam in COR 4 by 2 p.m.; Locally Heavy Rainfall Possible into late Evening