Damaging Winds Expected this Evening; Take Action Today to Prepare

At 7:24 a.m., the National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office Guam, issued an updated advisory for Tropical Depression 10W. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Guam, meaning tropical storm conditions, including damaging winds of 39 mph or more are expected tonight.

A tropical storm warning is now in effect for Rota, meaning damaging winds of 39 mph or more are expected within 24 hours. A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Tinian and Saipan, meaning damaging winds of 39 mph or more, are possible within 24 to 36 hours.

Guam remains in Condition of Readiness 4 at this time but the movement of the tropical depression remains erratic and shows a lot of variability. As of 8 a.m., Tropical Depression 10W was located 11.7 degrees north latitude and 146.2 east longitude, about 155 miles southeast of Guam and 240 miles south of Saipan.

Government of Guam maintains normal operations. Residents who are concerned that their homes may not be able to withstand tropical storm conditions can call the Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense at (GHS/OCD) 478-0290. The GHS/OCD 24/7 Watch Office will coordinate non-emergency individual requests for assistance from village mayors, government of Guam, military, private, and non-profit organizations.

GPA Preparation
Guam Power Authority crews are continuing their pre-storm inspections and line clearing, as high winds can blow vegetation into power lines. Please report power-related issues to GPA via its Facebook page or call its 24-hour Trouble Dispatch desk at 475-1472, 475-1473, or 475-1474.

Closest Point of Approach
The current forecast track now has Tropical Depression 10W passing south of Guam at midnight tonight, with damaging winds between 40 and 45 mph and gusts up to 50 mph in heavier showers at the closest point of approach. Rainfall amounts between 4 and 6 inches are possible, with a potential for flash flooding.

Conditions will start to deteriorate this afternoon.

Rains could worsen after Closest Point of Approach
Flash flood advisories are expected later today. Although the tropical depression is tracking through Wednesday night, the worst conditions are expected around 4 – 5 a.m. Thursday along the tail end as the tropical depression leaves the area.

Marine Conditions
As the wind and rains pick up through today, the community is advised to avoid outdoor or marine related activities. Mariners should make all necessary preparations to return to port, seek safe harbor and secure their craft. Dangerous rip currents are expected, along with 10 – 12 feet of open ocean and 8 – 10 feet of surf.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) advise the community to use this morning and afternoon to prepare:

Take down or tightly secure canopies and clear loose debris around your yard. Store any items that may become airborne with heavy wind.
Stay up to date with the latest information. The storm track or intensity may change. Advisories regarding flash flooding or high surf may be issued.
Stay out of the waterfalls and rivers and avoid hiking on Wednesday, due to the potential for flash floods.
Locate or prepare your emergency preparedness kits for your household.
Gas your vehicles and get fuel for your generators.
Stay up to date in the event there are changes with or updates to changes in Conditions of Readiness.
Secure outdoor pets in a safe location either indoors or inside the garage.

GHS/OCD, working with the NWS, will continue to monitor the system and provide updates. 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/
Governor Eddie Baza Calvo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eddiebazacalvo/

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 contact the GHS/OCD watch desk at (671) 478-0290.

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.