Tropical Depression Newly Forms Northeast of the Marianas

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office monitors newly formed Tropical Depression 15W northeast of the Marianas.

As of 6 a.m., the tropical depression was centered near 20.5 degrees north latitude and 159.1 degrees east longitude, about 940 miles north of Pohnpei and 1065 miles east-northeast of Guam. It is moving northwest at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph.

NWS advised Tropical Depression 15W is forecast to intensify through tonight, possibly becoming a tropical storm. While there is a high chance of development within the next 24 hours, it has a low chance of directly impacting the Mariana region at this time. However, there is a chance of increased swells from this system and increasing showers and thunderstorms.

For the Marianas, the chance for showers will increase after Monday, with most of the rain expected on Wednesday. For now, the rainfall maximum looks like it will stay southeast of Guam. It is important to remember that this could change over the next few days.

Although 15W poses no direct threat to Guam at this time, the Offices of Guam Homeland and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) remind the community to stay up to date with the latest information for any changes in the system’s track or additional advisories. Be prepared to take action, if necessary. Additional guidance will be issued as needed.

Visit the following links for the latest 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 G. 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.