Heavy Rainfall and Strong Winds are Possible Beginning Monday

Heavy Rainfall and Strong Winds are Possible Beginning Monday

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a hydrologic outlook for Guam. A developing tropical disturbance, known as Invest 98W, is currently located just west-northwest of Pohnpei near 7 degrees north latitude and 157 degrees east longitude.

The current forecast shows this system will gradually organize as it heads toward the Marianas, passing through this region sometime Tuesday into Wednesday. As it approaches and passes through the area, locally heavy showers and strong wind gusts will accompany this feature.

At this time, there remains uncertainty for the exact impact the disturbance will have on the Marianas but current model guidance indicates locally heavy rainfall will develop. Between Monday evening through Wednesday afternoon, 4 to 8 inches of rainfall with locally higher amounts are possible. Strong wind gusts to 40 mph are possible with heavier showers or thunderstorms that develop. Waves may increase into the 10-to-14-foot range as fresh to strong sustained winds potentially develop, with near gale force gusts possible.

Those living in flood-prone areas should take action; clear drainage areas and unblock storm drains to minimize flooding. Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautionary actions:

Stay up to date with the latest information;
Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items that may become airborne with heavy winds such as canopies, tarps and trampolines, before inclement weather arrives;
Keep emergency preparedness kit readily available, with battery operated radio, flashlights and extra batteries;
Secure important documents such as birth certificates, tax papers, and insurance documents and keep copies in a water-proof bag;
Be prepared to take further action, if warranted

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) advise the community to stay up to date with the developing situation in the coming days. Be prepared to take action through the weekend.

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/

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.

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.