Tropical Storm Maria Update; Power Restoration Worked On Through the Morning

As previously reported, Government of Guam operations will resume at 1 p.m. today. The community is advised to remain indoors

GDOE Summer School:
The Guam Department of Education has cancelled all summer school classes today. All GDOE 12-month employees advised to report to work at 1 p.m., in line with the rest of GovGuam.

Power:
The Guam Power Authority is working on bringing online generators to restore power systems over the course of the morning. GPA advises they should have substantial load for power restoration in about 4 hours.

Power restoration efforts have already begun, some areas of Barrigada are coming back online. 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.

Airlines:
Access live information for flight status by visiting www.guamairport.com/travel-information/flights.

Department of Public Health and Social Services:
DPHSS, Division for Senior Services are suspended today:

Adult Day Care
Case Management
In-Home Services
Legal Assistance Services
Senior Center Operations
Transportation Services
Nutrition Services for Congregate
National Family Caregiver Support Program
Preventive Health

Home Delivered Meals will be delivered to clients provided the roads are passable

Private Clinics:
Patients expecting appointments today are advised to contact their clinic directly.
All U.S. Renal Care Dialysis Centers are Open

Impassable and Distrupted Roadways:

Ypao Road from Marine Drive to Hilton is impassable due to downed power line
Rt. 17, Tarzan Falls area and Cross Island Road has a downed power pole and been impassable
Rt. 4 northbound outer lane from Sinajana to Agana, deemed impassable. Assessments are being made
Rt. 4, near Island Fresh, reported downed tree
Chalan Ramirez Rd., Yigo, blocked entryway

If possible, stay off the roadways as emergency responders and crews continue to make assessments and clear roadways.
If travel is necessary, treat traffic light areas as four way intersections, stopping for other vehicles.
Winds:
NWS advises 25 mph sustained winds with gusts up to 38 – 40 mph for the duration of the morning until this afternoon. Northern Guam will continue to experience the heavier gusty winds. It is currently 30 miles north of Guam.
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.