JIC Release No. 1 - Guam in COR 3; Take Action to Prepare - GHS OCD

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Rear Admiral Benjamin Nicholson placed Guam and the respective military bases in Condition of Readiness (COR) 3 at 1 p.m. this afternoon. At COR 3, damaging winds of 39-57 mph are expected within 48 hours.

Joint Region Marianas, Naval Base Guam, Andersen Air Force Base, and Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz establish COR 3. All Military installations on Guam are currently securing facilities and housing residents are urged to commence heavy weather preparedness efforts in COR 3.

As of 7 a.m., Invest Area 97W was located 5 degrees north latitude and 149 degrees east longitude, about 250 miles west-southwest of Chuuk Lagoon, 200 miles south-southeast of Satawal, near 5 degrees north latitude and 149 degrees east longitude. It is expected to organize over the next 12 to 36 hours, eventually turning north-northwest toward Guam.

At this time, there is high confidence that a significant tropical cyclone will move through the Marianas in the coming week. It is uncertain the exact track it will take and what strength it will be by the time it is in the area. However, the likelihood for heavy rainfall remains regardless of the track.

What to Expect
Current weather forecasts from National Weather Service (NWS) Guam indicate winds increasing overnight Sunday to 35 mph by Monday with gusts possibly up to 55 mph, continuing through Wednesday morning. The possibility for higher winds, even typhoon force winds, remains. Between Monday and Wednesday, 5 to 9 inches of rainfall is possible for the Mariana Islands, with locally higher rainfall amounts. Urban and small stream flooding is possible early next week as the system moves through the region.

Prepare Now
The community is advised to take the following preparedness actions this weekend:

Those living in flood-prone areas should take action; clear drainage areas and unblock storm drains to minimize flooding;
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;
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;
Be prepared to take action if shutters are warranted;
In COR 3, residents are asked to secure loose items in their yard including lawn furniture, and barbeque grills and trash cans.

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

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 - Guam in COR 3; Take Action to Prepare