JIC Release No. 2 - Typhoon Conditions Projected; Take Necessary Precautions through the Weekend - GHS OCD

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office continues to monitor a Tropical Depression that is expected to become a typhoon by the time it makes its closest point of approach to Guam.

Closest point of approach is currently expected to be late Tuesday evening, early Wednesday.

The storm currently is located at 12 degrees north latitude, 167.5 east degrees longitude, about 1530 miles east of Guam – that means there is enough time for the storm to exceed current projections.

Weather Update

The tropical depression is expected to continue moving west and strengthen. The current models forecast the system to impact Guam by Tuesday evening or earlyWednesday, becoming a possible Category 3 or Category 4 typhoon.

A Category 3 Typhoon is referred to as a “Strong Typhoon” with maximum sustained winds of 111-129 mph and peak gusts of 140-164 mph.

A Category 4 Typhoon is referred to as a “Very Strong Typhoon” with maximum sustained winds of 130-156 and peak gusts of 165-198 mph.

NWS advised this may be the worst typhoon to impact Guam since Typhoon Pongsana in 2002.

The problem posed by NWS is that the storm has enough time to significantly develop before reaching Guam.

These projections may change as the intensity and conditions have the ability to worsen.

Coordination Underway

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) and personnel from the Government of Guam and military personnel that play a role in the GHS/OCD Emergency Operations Center, received a heavy weather brief from the NWS. Respective village mayors have also met with GHS/OCD and received the heavy weather brief by NWS.

Coordination is underway between GHS/OCD, Mayor’s Council of Guam (MCoG) and the Department of Public Works (DPW) to clear village drainage areas that pose a problem in heavy rains.

Shelter Operations

Discussions are underway to move to COR3 by Sunday. This can change depending on the forecast track.

Plans are in place to open respective Guam Department of Education (Guam DOE) emergency shelters and preparation is also underway for pregnant mothers at the Guam Memorial Hospital. More information will provided by Sunday.

Take Action Now to Prepare

Due to the uncertainty of exactly how close to Guam the disturbance will pass and the strength, it is advised to take precautionary actions now. To prepare for any scenario, residents and visitors are advised to:

Stay up to date with the latest information. The storm track or intensity may change and advisories regarding flash flooding or dangerous seas may be issued.
Locate or prepare your emergency preparedness kits for your household; stock up on non-perishable food items and water for your household, flashlights, first-aid kits, batteries, matches or lighters, portable stove, toiletries, etc. Visit https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit for more information on what to include in your supplies list.
Secure important documents such as birth certificates, tax papers, and insurance documents and keep copies in a water-proof bag.
Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items that may become airborne with heavy winds, before inclement weather arrives.
Gas your vehicles and get fuel for your generators now while the weather is clear.
Stay up to date in the event there are changes in Conditions of Readiness.

Roadside Signs

All temporary signs, including those for political campaigns, advertisements and any other wooden or loosely placed signs should be taken down beforeSunday.
Loosely fitted items and signs have the ability to lift in heavy winds and cause damage to life and property.

Stay Up To Date
Due to the amount of uncertainty of the system’s exact location and strength when it does reach the Marianas early next week, residents and visitors are advised to stay up to date with the latest information from local media and the following links:

· 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/
· Joint Region Marianas Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrmguam/
· Governor Calvo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eddiebazacalvo/

For more information, contact the GHS/OCD 24/7 watch desk at (671) 475-9600 or (671) 482-7019.

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. 2 - Typhoon Conditions Projected; Take Necessary Precautions through the Weekend