2:40 p.m. Flood Watch in Effect Tonight through Tuesday Morning; Heavy Rain Possible

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office advised a broad tropical disturbance is expected to interact with a shear line, impacting the Marianas starting late tonight, through the weekend, and much of the coming week.

Several rounds of heavy to very heavy rainfall will be possible during this time. This could lead to 5 to 10 inches of rain across the Marianas.

Heavy rainfall could produce flooding of roadways and low-lying areas. Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautionary actions:

Those living in flood-prone areas should take action now; clear drainage areas and unblock storm drains to minimize flooding;
Stay up to date with the latest information;
If driving in heavy rain, be alert for low visibilities and slippery roads;
Slow down where water is ponding on the road;
Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away;
Do not camp, park, or hike along streams and rivers. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
When thunder roars, get indoors. Tents, canopies and tarps are not safe shelter during thunderstorms.
Remain out of the water while advisories are in effect.

Advisories in Effect:

Flood Watch for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan from late tonight through Tuesday morning.
Airport Wind Advisory is in effect for the Guam International Airport Authority until 6 p.m. this evening. Winds at 15 to 20 knots, with gusts to 30 knots, are expected especially in showers.
High Surf Advisory for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan (7–10 ft surf) until 4 p.m. Monday.
High Risk of Rip Currents for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan through Monday afternoon.
Small Craft Advisory for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan from 7 p.m. this evening to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For the latest advisory information, visit:

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 Public Information Officer Jenna Blas at (671) 475-9600 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.