NWS Provides Typhoon Predictions for 2019

The National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office Guam, in coordination with the University of Guam (UOG) Water and Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific (WERI), prepared an assessment for tropical storm and typhoon activity for the island of Guam for the remainder of 2019.

The full assessment is attached below and within this email.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) advise residents and visitors to make preparations for all-hazards ahead of time: Make a Plan, Build a Kit, Stay Informed:

I.Make a Plan:

Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to think about the following situations and plan just in case. Consider the following questions when making a plan:
- How will my family/household get emergency alerts and warnings?
- How will my family/household get to safe locations for relevant emergencies?
- How will my family/household get in touch if cell phone, internet, or landline doesn’t work?
- How will I let loved ones know I am safe?
- How will family/household get to a meeting place after the emergency?
Download and Print A Plan. Visit https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan:
- For parents
- For kids
- For your wallet
- Steps to make a plan
- Tips on emergency alerts and warnings
Here are a few easy steps to start your emergency communication plan:
- Understand how to receive emergency alerts and warnings. Make sure all household members are able to get alerts about an emergency from local officials.
  - Local media; TV, radio, print, text alerts
  - Social media: GHS/OCD Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. National Weather Service Guam Facebook.
  - GHS/OCD website: www.ghs.guam.gov, National Weather Service Guam website: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/.
  - Emergency Alert System (EAS): All broadcast and cable stations are required to be EAS compliant. The Primary Entry Point station is KSTO. Weekly or monthly tests of the EAS are conducted.
  - All Hazards Alert Warning System (AHAWS): 17 in low-lying areas, with voiced, pre-scripted capabilities and 6 wailing sounds and sirens.
  - Have a battery operated radio.
  - GHS/OCD recognize all of these as separate forms of communication and rely on all to relay important emergency notifications.
- Discuss family/household plans for disasters that may affect your area and plan where to go.
  - Have discussions with everyone in the family about the different risks that may affect the community.
    - Typhoons, Earthquakes, Tsunamis, whether you live in a flood zone, etc.
- Collect information. Create a paper copy of the contact information for your family that includes:
  - phone (work, cell, office)
  - email
  - social media
  - medical facilities, doctors, service providers
  - school
- Identify information and pick an emergency meeting place. Things to consider:
  - Decide on safe, familiar places where your family can go for protection or to reunite.
  - Examples of meeting places:
    - In your neighborhood: A mailbox at the end of the driveway, or a neighbor’s house.
    - Outside of your neighborhood: library, community center, church, or family friend’s home.
    - Outside of your village: home of a relative or family friend. Make sure everyone knows the address of the meeting place and discuss ways you would get there.
  - Make sure these locations are accessible for household members with disabilities or access and functional needs.
  - If you have pets or service animals, include them in your plan.
- Share information. Make sure everyone carries a copy in his or her backpack, purse, or wallet. You should also post a copy in a central location in your home, such as your refrigerator or family bulletin board.
- Practice your plan. Have regular household meetings to review your emergency plans, communication plans and meeting place after a disaster, and then practice, just like you would a fire drill.

II. Build A Kit:

A disaster supplies kit, or emergency kit, is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
Kits should be assembled well in advance of an emergency. You may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you.
You may need supplies to last for at least 72 hours.
Multiple if possible: Home, work, vehicle
A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener for food
- Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
- Specific to your household:
  - Prescription medications and glasses
  - Infant formula and diapers
  - Pet food and extra water for your pet
  - Cash or traveler's checks and change
  - Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
  - Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
  - Clothing
  - Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
  - Fire extinguisher
  - Matches in a waterproof container
  - Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
  - Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
  - Paper and pencil
  - Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

III. Stay Informed:

For more information, contact GHS/OCD Public Information Officer, Jenna G. Blas at (671) 478-0208 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.