Heavy Rains and Hazardous Seas Expected for the Marianas

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) and emergency management stakeholders prepare for potential flooding and hazardous seas through the weekend into early next week, as a tropical depression forms west of Rota.

The National Weather Service (NWS) - Guam Weather Forecast Office has the following advisories in effect:

A tropical storm watch is now in effect for Rota, Tinian, and Saipan, meaning tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 12 to 24 hours, including damaging winds of 39 mph or more.

As of 7 a.m., the tropical depression was located 14.1 degrees north latitude and 144.8 degrees east longitude; about 25 miles west of Rota and 45 miles north of Guam, with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph. It is expected to intensify over the next few days, possibly becoming a tropical storm later this evening as it leaves the region. For Guam, strongest winds are near north and east of the center, therefore a tropical storm watch will not be issued for Guam. Gentle to moderate southwest winds over Guam will strengthen as the monsoon increases across the region.

A flash flood watch continues for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan through late Saturday night, meaning conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Frequent showers will be mostly runoff, with rain amounts of 4 to 8 inches with locally higher amounts.
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
·Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away
·If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground
·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.
·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.

A small craft advisory is in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan coastal waters until 6 a.m. Sunday. South to southwest winds of 19 to 29 mph with gusts to 34 mph over the eastern waters of Guam and Rota will gradually spread westward. For Tinian and Saipan, east winds of 19 to 29 mph with gusts to 39 mph will turn southeast then south as the system passes near Guam and Rota. Combined seas of 6 to 9 feet will occasionally reach 10 feet across the Marianas. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid sailing in these conditions.

GHS/OCD remind the community to stay up to date with the latest information, especially through the weekend. Practice extreme caution if traveling in heavy rains and avoid the seas until hazardous conditions subside.

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/

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.