Tropical Depression 10W Continues Approach Toward the Marianas; Practice Caution on Roadways

At 2 p.m., the National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office Guam, issued an updated advisory for Tropical Depression 10W.

Watches and Warnings:
A tropical storm warning is remains in effect for Guam and Rota, meaning damaging winds of 39 mph or more are expected tonight.

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.

As of 1 p.m., Tropical Depression 10W was located 11.9 degrees north latitude and 146.1 east longitude, about 140 miles southeast of Guam and 225 miles south of Saipan.

Guam remains in Condition of Readiness 4 at this time.

Closest Point of Approach
The current forecast track has Tropical Depression 10W passing near or just south of Guam at midnight tonight into early Thursday morning with damaging winds between 40 and 45 mph and gusts up to 50 mph in heavier showers at the closest point of approach. Worst conditions are expected early Thursday morning, as the tropical depression leaves the area.

Rainfall amounts between 4 and 6 inches are possible, with a potential for flash flooding.

Outdoor Precautions
As winds and rains increase through the evening, residents and visitors are advised to practice extreme caution if traveling on the roadways is necessary. Allow enough braking distance between cars to avoid any collisions and drive cautiously, being mindful of flooded roadways. Avoid outdoor activities such as hiking.

The Chamorro Village Wednesday Night Market will remain open this evening until 8 p.m. Vendors with pop-up canopies or tents will not be setting up due to the anticipated heavy weather conditions. The Chamorro Village businesses and vendors occupying the festival huts will be open for the night market. For additional information, contact the Chamorro Village Office at 475-0377 or Jeffrey San Nicolas at 864-5133.

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 make last minute preparations before the winds and rains increase through the evening:

Store any items that may become airborne with heavy wind, including canopies and children’s outdoors toys.
Stay up to date with the latest information. The storm track or intensity may change and additional advisories may be issued.
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.