NWS Advisories in Effect for the Marianas; Outdoor Burning is Not Recommended

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

A red flag warning is in effect for Guam until 6 p.m. this evening. A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures will create ideal conditions for rapid spread of wildfires.

A fire weather watch will be in effect for Guam from 6 p.m. through Friday afternoon. A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. East winds at 15 to 20 mph with gusts of 25 to 30 mph, especially in higher terrain, are expected. Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

A high risk of rip currents is in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan through Sunday afternoon. Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore. NWS advised trade-wind swell and wind waves are expected to produce surf up to 9 feet along east facing reefs through tonight increasing to 8 to 10 feet Friday.

Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Do not swim against the current. If able, swim parallel to the shore and back toward the beach when possible. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help. Rip currents are life threatening.

A small craft advisory remains in effect for the coastal waters of Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan until 6 p.m. this evening. East winds of 15 to 20 knots with frequent gusts to 25 knots are expected and will produce hazardous conditions for operators of small craft. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid boating in these conditions.

An airport wind advisory is in effect for the Guam International Airport Authority until 6 p.m. this evening. East winds at 15 to 20 knots with gusts to 30 knots are expected.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) remind the community to avoid hazardous seas, until conditions subside. Heed the advice of any signs including beach closures, beach patrol flags, and the advice of lifeguards or emergency personnel. The community is advised to avoid outdoor burning.

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.