Officials Monitor for Impacts from Volcanic Activity

The National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office Guam continues to monitor the ongoing activity associated with the eruption of Taal Volcano, in Batangas Province, south of Manila, Philippines.

At this time, the volcanic eruption and ongoing activity at Taal Volcano currently poses no threat to Guam or the CNMI other than a possible light haze as early as Tuesday evening. As advised by NWS, the haze may be visible but is not expected to cause issues prompting people to remain indoors.

Although there is no direct threat assessed for the Marianas, NWS and the Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) will monitor the ongoing situation for any changes in weather patterns that could bring ash and haze to Guam and the CNMI should this be a prolonged event.

Residents across the Marianas should continue to monitor this developing situation. At this time, there are no advisories issued for the Marianas but those with respiratory health problems should stay up to date in the coming days, in the event there are changes to the impacts for Guam. Advisories may be issued later prompting people with respiratory issues to stay indoors and avoid being outdoors when haze is seen. Mariners and pilots should also stay up to date in the coming days in the event there are lower visibilities caused by haze.

Although the ongoing activity at Taal Volcano poses no threat to Guam or the Marianas at this time, possible impacts include canceled or delayed flights to and from the Philippines. Those with planned travel are advised to reach out to the airline directly for information on affected flights.

Visit the following links for the latest advisory 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.