JIC Release No. 11 - Condition of Readiness 2 Declared - GHS OCD

Hagåtña, Guam – Acting Governor Joshua F. Tenorio and Joint Region Marianas Deputy Commander, Brig. Gen. Gentry Boswell, have placed Guam and the island’s military installations, respectively, under Condition of Readiness (COR) 2 as of 4 p.m. this afternoon.

COR 2 means Guam can expect tropical storm-force winds of 35-47 mph within 24 hours. As of 1 p.m. Typhoon Wutip was located near latitude 8.5N and longitude 146.7E, and about 365 miles south-southeast of Guam. Wutip is moving west-northwest at a speed of 14 mph. The storm is expected to make a slight turn to the northwest. Maximum sustained winds are now at 110 mph. Its intensity is forecast to slowly strengthen over the next 36 hours.

The onset of damaging winds of 35-47 mph is anticipated at 9 a.m. Saturday with Wutip’s closest point of approach (CPA) expected around midnight Saturday into early Sunday morning. Damaging winds may last until Sunday afternoon.

“The winds of this storm may not sound very strong, but the long duration of damaging winds will definitely impact our island,” said Acting Governor Tenorio. “I encourage everyone to prepare for a possible worst-case scenario and seek shelter. Everyone’s safety during this storm is of utmost importance. I want to assure the people of Guam that we are taking the necessary precautions to prepare for every possible outcome.”

Military Installations

Andersen Air Force Base:
The following locations will be closed from Friday, Feb. 22 until Sunday, Feb. 24:

Education Center, Library, Arts and Crafts, Auto Hobby Shop, Bamboo Willies, Sunset Cove, Tickets and Travel, Outdoor Recreation, Post Office, Airman and Family Readiness Center, Child Development Center, School Age Program, Teen Center, Meridian Café, Golf Course, Liberty Center, Pet Lodge

The following locations may reopen Sunday, pending damage assessment:
Meridian Café, Golf Course, Liberty Center, Pet Lodge

Bowling Center – Open Friday, Feb. 22 from 6:30-11 p.m. Closed Saturday, Feb. 23 to Feb. 24, pending damage assessment. The Bowling Center Snack Bar will be open Friday, Feb. 23 until 10:30 p.m and will close Saturday, Feb. 23 to Sunday, Feb. 24, pending damage assessment.

Andersen Lodging – Open 24 hours

Coral Reef Fitness Center – Open Friday, Feb. 22 until 10 p.m., and open 24 hours Saturday, Feb. 23 and Sunday, Feb. 24.

U.S. Naval Base Guam

The following locations will close at normal hours Friday, Feb. 22 through Saturday, Feb. 23:

MWR, Orote Commissary and Navy Exchange facilities

If weather conditions improve, they may open later in the day Saturday. Stay tuned on the NBG Facebook page for updates.

What should you do:

Stay up to date – monitor local news, National Weather Service and the Joint Information Center
If you have not done so, put up shutters now. Do not wait for winds to increase.
If you have not done so, 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.
Make emergency preparedness kits 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
Unplug all appliances and ensure energy breakers are switched off once damaging winds approach
If you live in an area prone to flooding, cover beds and furniture with plastic to prevent water damage
Do your laundry now
Ensure pets are part of your emergency plans (i.e. have enough supplies, bring them indoors, plan to keep them with a loved one or family member)
Take down any temporary signs, including those for political campaigns, advertisements, and any other wooden or loosely placed items that have the ability to lift in heavy winds and cause damage to life and property
Conduct all preparedness activities this evening, as damaging winds will impact the island as early as Saturday morning
Do not camp, park, or hike along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
When you’re done securing your homes and you know someone elderly, living with a disability, or who will need help, please see how you can help them. If you know a neighbor who has no way of getting information about the storm, please let your neighbor know what the updates are.

Emergency shelters are now open:

North
Astumbo Elementary School
Machanaonao Elementary School

Central
George Washington High School

South
Harry S. Truman Elementary School
Inarajan Middle School

WHAT YOU SHOULD TAKE TO THE SHELTER

7-day supply of food and water for all members of your family
Bedding
Personal hygiene products
Medication
7-day of supply for infants and toddlers, including diapers and formula
Valid Photo ID
Important documents including birth certificates, passports and medical immunization cards

SHELTER RULES

Be respectful to fellow residents and staff. No foul language, abusive behavior, stealing or destruction of property will be accepted or tolerated
Busing to/from shelters is available at the Mayors’ Offices
Bring a 7-day supply of food, water & prescriptions; infants & toddlers should have a 7- day supply of disposable diapers, baby formula & baby food
Bring bedding, toiletries, toilet tissue, and personal hygiene products
Must complete registration. Bring a form of valid I.D.
Must report Tuberculosis or flu-like symptoms
Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, and weapons are not allowed in the shelter or on the shelter grounds. Persons caught in possession will be asked to leave the shelter and in some cases turned over to law enforcement personnel. Persons determined to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs will not be admitted, or readmitted to the shelter.
Public Law 21-139 dictates that there is no smoking on school premises. Smoking is not allowed in the shelter. Smoking is permitted outside the campus in designated smoking areas only. Please dispose of cigarette butts properly.
Quiet hours will be announced and enforced in the sleeping areas. However, sleeping areas should be
kept quiet at all times.
If you bring vital documents (i.e. Birth records, passports, etc.), secure them or keep them on you at all times. The Shelter is not responsible for these items if stolen.
Parents must maintain responsibility and supervision for their children. Children must never be left unattended.
No cooking or gas stoves
For your safety DO NOT LEAVE THE SHELTER before COR 4 has been declared
Only service animals are allowed at this time.
Pets cannot be sheltered at this time. For those seeking shelter for their pets, make plans for them now to stay with a loved one, friend or family member as pets will not be allowed in the emergency shelters.

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/

For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10 or the GHS/OCD 24/7 watch desk at (671) 475-9600.

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 - Condition of Readiness 2 Declared