Heavy Showers Expected; Flash Flood Watch, Small Craft Advisory Now in Effect; Avoid Dangerous Rip Currents

The National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office Guam continue to monitor a large trade-wind disturbance located about 148 degrees east of Guam, bringing deepening moisture westward. Showers and thunderstorms moving through the region could bring locally heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding.

Starting tonight, NWS predict a wet pattern in the weather going into next week. The following watches and advisories are now in effect:

A flash flood watch is now in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. A flash flood watch means there is a potential for flash flooding. Monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action, should a flash flood warning be issued.

Flash flooding can develop quickly. Do not wait for heavy rainfall to begin before ensuring drainage areas are free of debris.

A small craft advisory in now in effect for Guam’s coastal waters until 6 a.m. Sunday. East to southeast winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots, with combined seas of 8 to 11 feet.

A small craft advisory means that wind speeds of 21 to 33 knots are expected to produce wave conditions hazardous to small craft. Inexperienced swimmers, especially those operating smaller vessels should avoid sailing in these conditions.

High risk of dangerous rip currents on east facing reefs of Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan are expected through Sunday afternoon.

Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) remind the community to avoid affected reefs and beaches until hazardous conditions subside. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags, and signs. Rip currents are life threatening.

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 Acting Public Information Officer Jaimie Cruz at (671) 688-0438 or via email at jaimie.cruz@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.