NWS Advisories Issued; Prepare for Heavy Winds and Avoid Dangerous Seas

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office continue to monitor a broad, weak circulation near Kosrae. Intensification, if any, is expected to be slow for the couple of days. The circulation, coupled with the trade-wind surge will produce windy conditions throughout the week. The following advisories are in effect:

A high surf advisory remains in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan until 6 p.m. Friday. Along north facing reefs, hazardous surf of 8 to 10 feet could possibly increase to between 12 and 14 feet on Tuesday. Along east facing reefs, hazardous surf of 10 to 12 feet could possibly build between 16 and 20 feet on Tuesday. Do not venture out along north and east facing reefs and beaches. Large braking waves can knock you down and cause serious injuries.

A high risk of rip currents is also in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan through the coming week. Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore. Strong and frequent rip currents are expected along north and east facing reefs and exposed beaches. If caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain calm and stay afloat while waiting for help. If swimming out of a rip current, swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current. Rip currents are life threatening.

A small craft advisory remains in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday, for the coastal waters of Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. East winds of 15 to 25 knots with occasional gusts to 35 knots are expected the next several days and could get even stronger Tuesday through Thursday. Combined seas of 9 to 11 feet will build further to between 10 to 12 feet tonight. The winds and seas will produce hazardous conditions to small craft. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid sailing in these conditions.

A gale watch will then be in effect from Tuesday morning through late Thursday night. A gale watch is issued when the risk of gale force winds or frequent gusts of 38 mph to 51 has significantly increased but the specific timing and location of gale force winds is still uncertain.

A hazardous seas watch will be in effect from Tuesday morning through late Thursday night. A hazardous seas watch is issued when the risk of hazardous seas of 15 mph or more has significantly increased but the specific timing and location is still uncertain. The gale watch and hazardous seas watch are intended to provide additional lead time for mariners who may wish to consider altering plans.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) advise the community to prepare for the onset of gale force winds by taking the following basic precautionary actions now:

Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items that may become airborne with heavy winds, such as canopies, tarps or trampolines;
Stay up to date with the latest information and advisory updates;
If planning outdoor activities, have alternate plans in place;
Avoid north and east facing reefs and beaches throughout the week. Rip currents are life threatening;
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.