NWS Monitors Tropical Depression; No Threat to Marianas at this time

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office continue to monitor Tropical Depression 14W that has formed north of the Marshall Islands.

The tropical depression is centered southeast of Wake Island, near 15 degrees north latitude and 169.4 east longitude, about 1,650 miles east of Guam. It is expected to head generally west-northwest the next few days, avoiding the Wake Island and most likely avoiding CNMI.

At this time, 14W poses no threat to Guam or the CNMI and is expected to pass well to the northeast of the CNMI later this week. Another weak disturbance in Chuuk State will pass south of Guam Tuesday and is expected to bring another round of scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms to the region.

“Although tropical depression 14W is not expected to impact the Marianas, the community is reminded we are entering peak typhoon season,” stated Charles Esteves, Office of Civil Defense Administrator. “With September declared as National Preparedness Month, it is a good opportunity to start preparing by building your emergency kits, reviewing your emergency communication plan and discussing what you and your family would do before, during and after a typhoon.”

Residents and visitors are encouraged to use National Preparedness Month as a chance to open discussions with friends and family about typhoon preparedness by using the following resources:
· https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-preparedness
· https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
· https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
· https://ghs.guam.gov/programs/natural-disasters/typhoons

Stay up to date with the latest advisory information in the coming days:
· 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.