Severe Thunderstorm Warning in Effect; Heavy Winds Expected for Guam Community Advised to Seek Shelter

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office have the following advisories in effect:

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Guam until 9:30 p.m. Around 8:30 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located 23 miles southeast of Mangilao, Guam and is moving west at nearly 45 mph.

Wind gusts up to 60 mph, mainly south of Talofofo, are expected. Gusts in excess of 40 mph are possible as far north as Yona and Santa Rosa. Locations impacted include, but are not limited to Yona, Talofofo, Inarajan, Merizo, Santa Rita, and Umatac. Localized wind damage and possible uprooted trees are expected

The community is advised to seek shelter immediately inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows. Damaging winds and frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. If lightning is seen or thunder is heard, seek shelter indoors. Brief, torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm and may lead to brief flooding. Do not drive through flooded roadways.

A special marine warning is issued for Guam coastal waters until 9:30 p.m. A severe thunderstorm capable of producing waterspouts is expected. Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Boats could suffer significant structural damage in high winds. Small craft could capsize in suddenly higher waves. Wind gusts in excess of 50 knots, heavy downpours reducing visibility and frequent lightning are expected.

Boaters are advised to move to safe harbor immediately as gusty winds and high waves are expected. Frequent lightning is likely with this storm. If caught on the open water, stay below deck if possible and keep away from ungrounded metal objects.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) advise the community to practice extreme caution while traveling in heavy winds, driving below the speed limit and allowing enough braking distance between vehicles.

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/

For more information, contact GHS/OCD Public Information Officer Jenna Blas at (671) 489-2540 or via email at jenna.g.blas@ghs.guam.gov.

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.