Volcanic Haze Reaches the Marianas Again

The National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office Guam issued a special weather statement for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan.

NWS advises volcanic haze produced by Mount Kilauea in Hawaii has reached the Marianas again and is expected to linger across the area for much of the week. The winds may decrease at times due to showers periodically developing between the Marianas and Hawaii but easterly trades will continue to funnel the channel of haze toward the Marianas that will reduce visibility across the region.

Though the haze is not expected to cause widespread health problems, those with respiratory issues should limit outdoor activities until the haze reduces or dissipates.

The Department of Public Health and Social Services remind all residents and visitors, especially those with asthma, chronic bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or other pre-existing respiratory conditions, to minimize time outdoors and avoid being outdoors where haze is seen. If being outdoors is necessary, consider wearing a face mask. Ensure that medications are on hand and readily available in case they need to be taken.

Symptoms to watch for: Wheezing, Shortness of Breath, Difficulty Breathing, Chest Heaviness, Lightheadedness, Dizziness. If symptoms are not relieved by usual medication, seek medical attention. Contact your physician for any questions or concerns.

The Guam National Guard’s 94^th Civil Support Team (CST) and the Guam Fire Department (GFD) Hazardous Materials (HazMat) plan to conduct air monitoring tests at various sites throughout the island and test results will be provided to the Guam Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Public Health and Social Services for further analysis.

The haze may return in the coming weeks or even months, so it is important for the community to stay up to date with the latest information.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), working with NWS and all stakeholders, will continue to monitor the situation and provide the community with updates. Residents and visitors can monitor the latest advisory information through the following sites:
·NWS Website: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/
·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 or Guam National Guard Public Affairs Officer, Major Josephine Blas at (671) 483-0324 or via email at josephinemarie.p.blas.mil@mail.mil.

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.