JIC Release No. 11 - Tropical Storm Mangkhut organizes, intensifies - GHS OCD

Tropical Storm Mangkhut continues to organize and intensify as it heads toward the Marianas. The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office are continuing to monitor the storm. Currently, Guam remains in Condition of Readiness (COR 3), which means damaging winds of 39-57 mph are expected within 48 hours.

As of 4 a.m., Mangkhut was located at 14.9 degrees north latitude and 156.9 degrees east longitude, about 745 miles east of Saipan and 820 miles east of Guam, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.

The tropical storm will continue its west-northwest track and is expected to intensify, becoming a typhoon later today or tonight, and possibly a Category 4 typhoon by the time it reaches Guam, on Tuesday as it makes its closest point of approach. It is important to still prepare for the worst-case-scenario of a Category 5 typhoon:

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.
Category 5 Typhoon is referred to as a “Devastating Typhoon” with maximum sustained winds of 157-194 mph and peak gusts of 199-264 mph. A Category 5 typhoon has the ability to be life-threatening to those that do not prepare in advance.

TYPHOON CONDITIONS
A typhoon watch is in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan and adjacent coastal waters in the Marianas, meaning typhoon conditions, including destructive winds of 74 mph or more, are possible within 48 hours, by Mondayevening.

Winds will be between 69 and 104 mph close to the center of Mangkhut as it intensifies and reaches the Marianas waters. Winds are forecasted to begin to rise Monday afternoon, reach maximum Tuesday morning, and start to subside Tuesday evening. Further from the center will be tropical storm force winds.

Combined seas in excess of 30 feet are possible due to the expected high winds near the center. Farther from the center, combined seas will be between 10 and 20 feet elsewhere in the Marianas waters.

Use today to prepare and stay up to date. The Joint Information Center will provide important information throughout today, before the damaging winds arrive. Be on the lookout for the most up to date information, paying close attention to the date and time on posts or press releases.

How Can I Stay Up to Date with the Joint Information Center?

The Joint Information Center is the government of Guam, military and federal government’s clearinghouse for accurate information during emergencies. The following is a list of radio partners, where you can get updated information about Tropical Storm Mangkhut:

o KSTO 95.5 FM
o 102.9 KISH FM
o Isla 630 AM
o K57 AM
o I94 FM
o Power 98 FM
o Hit Radio 100
o Cool FM
o The BOSS 104.3
o Star 101.1
o 101.9 KTKB
o 105.1 KAT FM
o 99.5 The Shark
o KHMG 88.1 FM

TV and Newspaper partners include:

KUAM: kuam.com
Pacific News Center: pacificnewscenter.com
Guam Daily Post: postguam.com
Pacific Daily News: guampdn.com

Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:
· 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 until 9 a.m. today, when alternate numbers will be provided.

We continue to urge residents to be prepared by Monday night as damaging winds of 39 mph or more are expected as early as that evening. Weather conditions may quickly change or even worsen.

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. 11 - Tropical Storm Mangkhut organizes, intensifies