NWS Issues Flood Warning for Guam; Drive with Caution

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a flash flood warning for Guam until 10 a.m.

Thunderstorms are producing heavy rain across the area. Up to an inch of rain has already fallen. Additional two to four inches is possible. Flash flooding is expected to begin.

The worst flooding will be in Merizo. Other locations that will be impacted include Polaris Point, Dededo, Tamuning, Mangilao, Ordot Chalan Pago, Yigo, Barrigada, Yona, Agana Heights, Andersen AFB, Talofofo, Sinajana, Mongmong-Toto-Maite, Inarajan, Asan, Piti, Santa Rita, Hagatna, and Umatac.

Residents and visitors are advised to take precautionary actions:
· Move to higher ground.
· Stay away from storm drains, culverts, creeks, and streams.
· Water levels can rise rapidly and sweep people away.
· 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
· 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. If the water is moving, do not leave the car.
· 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 high surf advisory remains in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan until 6 a.m. Thursday, meaning high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing localized beach erosion and dangerous swimming conditions. Surf will remain hazardous at 8 to 11 feet along south facing reefs and 11 to 14 feet along west facing reefs. Avoid venturing out along south and west facing reefs and beaches. Large breaking waves can knock people down and cause serious injuries. Strong rip currents will be life threatening.

A small craft advisory remains in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan coastal waters until 6 a.m. Thursday, meaning wind speeds and heavy seas are expected to produce wave conditions hazardous to small craft. Southwest winds of 19 to 29 mph with occasional gusts to 39 mph are expected. Seas of 10 to 12 feet will continue through Thursday. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid sailing in these conditions.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) advise residents and visitors to practice extreme caution while traveling in rainy conditions, driving below the speed limit and allowing enough braking distance between vehicles. Avoid south and west facing reefs and beaches until hazardous conditions subside. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags, and signs.

Visit the following links for the latest information:
· 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 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.