National Preparedness Month Grand Finale Postponed; Heavy Rains Expected this Weekend

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) have postponed the 2018 National Preparedness Month Grand Finale, scheduled for Saturday, September 22 at the Agana Shopping Center. The rescheduled date and time is to be determined.

GHS/OCD in coordination with Government of Guam agencies, military, federal, private, and volunteer organizations active in disasters are actively working recovery efforts from the passing of Typhoon Mangkhut through the Marianas.

Stakeholders are also preparing for inundation of heavy rainfall, possible for the Marianas over the weekend into early next week. The National Weather Service (NWS) – Guam Weather Forecast Office advised that a developing tropical disturbance south-southeast of Guam and its associated monsoon will gradually drift west-northwestward over the weekend. It is expected to move through just south of Guam’s coastal waters and generate showery conditions with locally heavy downpours beginning as early as Friday evening. Rainfall amounts of up to 8 inches over the Marianas by Monday evening is expected. If the circulation makes a slight shift to the east, rainfall amounts in excess of 20 inches are possible.

Although NWS advises they do not expect to see significant organization of the system until it is well west of the Marianas, the rainfall amounts will increase. Now is the time to take flood preparedness actions.

Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action:
·Now is the time to clear drainage areas and un-block clogged storm drains in your area to minimize the chance of flooding
·Residents living near rivers and streams need to review plans for protecting properties
·Once heavy rains occur, avoid walking or driving through flood waters
o    Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away
o    If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground
o    If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
o    Avoid camping, parking, or hiking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
Visit https://www.ready.gov/floods to learn more.

National Preparedness Month
September was declared NPM, with the overarching theme “Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.” NPM is held annually in the month of September. During the month, the community is encouraged to conduct preparedness actions, develop emergency plans, learn how to stay safe, and how to communicate during an emergency. There is still time left in the month to take preparedness actions.

“The decision to postpone the NPM Grand Finale was not easy because of the commitment given by our preparedness partners,” stated Charles Esteves, Office of Civil Defense Administrator. “However, our number one priority is recovering from Typhoon Mangkhut. We look forward to showcasing the island’s emergency management systems once we return to a steady state,” Esteves continued.

For more information, contact 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.