JIC Release No. 1 - Governor Places Guam in COR 3; Prepare for Winds to Increase this Afternoon - GHS OCD

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has placed Guam in Condition of Readiness (COR) 3 at 3 p.m. At COR 3, the onset of damaging winds of 39-57 mph are possible within 48 hours. In this case, with Tropical Depression 20W, damaging winds are possible later this evening through Friday morning.

Neither typhoon force nor severe tropical storm force (58-73 mph) winds are expected from Tropical Depression 20W as it passes near or over Guam later this evening. The change in COR setting was done out of an abundance of caution. At COR 3, government of Guam operations continue as normal.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions, including sustained winds of 39 to 74 mph, are expected within 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds are expected late this afternoon through early Friday morning.

As of 1 p.m., 20W was located near 12.6 degrees north latitude and 145.0 degrees east longitude, about 75 miles southeast of Guam and 175 miles south of Saipan. It is moving west-northwest at 17 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

What to Expect
Guam can expect to experience a low-end tropical storm. Showers and gusty winds will increase across Guam by 4 p.m. and continue on through midnight. Tropical storm force winds of 35 mph - 45 mph with gusts up to 55 mph are expected by this evening. The Closest Point of Approach (CPA) has moved up to between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. due to a slight increase in forward motion of TD 20W. Even after the system’s CPA, strong winds are expected to continue overnight. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches for Guam and 3 to 5 inches for CNMI, with locally higher amounts in gusty showers are expected.

Take Action to Prepare

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. Do not camp, park, or hike along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
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.

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

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

Click here to view NWS forecast track - Sept. 23, 1PM

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. 1 - Governor Places Guam in COR 3; Prepare for Winds to Increase this Afternoon