JIC Release No. 2 - TD 16W Continues West; Guam Remains in COR 3; GDOE Schools to End Early Today; Guam Catholic Schools Remain Operational - GHS OCD

The National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office Guam continues to monitor Tropical Depression 16W. As of 5 a.m., 16W was located 12.8 degrees north latitude and 154.4 degrees east longitude, about 523 miles east-southeast of Saipan and 565 miles east of Guam. It is currently moving west at 20 mph with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph.

Guam remains in Condition of Readiness (COR) 3 at this time. At COR 3, school and government of Guam operations are expected to conduct business as usual. Further assessments will be conducted this afternoon, based on all available data, to determine if there will be any change to COR.

On its current track, 16W is expected to pass over southern Guam around midday Tuesday as a tropical depression or weak tropical storm. Three to 7 inches of rain is possible Monday night through Tuesday night with heavy showers and thunderstorms.

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Guam and Rota. Tropical storm conditions, including damaging winds of 39 mph or more, are possible late Monday night or Tuesday. East to northeast winds of 10 to 15 mph are expected today, rising to 15 to 20 mph Monday night. Winds are expected to increase Tuesday morning as 16W approaches and could reach 35 to 40 mph with gusts to 50 mph during the day.

Prepare Now
Any change in the system’s track or intensity could bring heavier winds to Guam as it passes Tuesday. To prepare for any scenario, the community is advised to take the following precautionary measures now:

Those living in flood-prone areas should take action; clear drainage areas and unblock clogged storm drains in your area to minimize flooding.
Be prepared to take action if flood advisories are issued. In inclement weather, avoid camping, parking, or hiking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning. Visit https://www.ready.gov/floods to learn more.
Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items such as tents and canopies that may become airborne with heavy winds before inclement weather arrives.
Stay up to date with the latest information. The system track or intensity may change, and advisories may be issued.
Locate or prepare your emergency preparedness kits for your household; stock up on non-perishable food items and water, 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.
Gas your vehicles and get fuel for your generators now while the weather is clear.

GDOE Schools to End Early Today
The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) has issued early release times for GDOE schools. If warranted, any information regarding emergency shelters will be released once available. The GDOE early release times for today follow:

11:30 a.m. early release:

Tiyan High School
J.P. Torres/Central Success Academy
Southern High School
John F. Kennedy High School

12:15 p.m. early release:

Simon Sanchez High School
George Washington High School
Okkodo High School

1:00 p.m. early release:

All GDOE Elementary Schools

2:00 p.m. early release:

All GDOE Middle Schools

GDOE parents are asked to begin picking up their children at the specified release times. Bussing services will be provided to transport students home.

Guam Catholic Schools Remain Operational
The Archdiocese of Agana has advised that Catholic schools remain operational today unless there is a change from COR 3 to COR 2. The Archdiocese of Agana schools will continue to stay up to date with the latest developments and update parents and guardians accordingly.

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/
JRM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrmguam

NWS forecast track and uncertainty graphic - AUG16, 1AM

For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10 beginning Monday, 8 a.m.

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. 2 - TD 16W Continues West; Guam Remains in COR 3; GDOE Schools to End Early Today; Guam Catholic Schools Remain Operational