Press Release: Advisories and Watches Still in Effect for Guam

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued many Advisories and Watches that are in effect for Guam. A monsoon disturbance, Invest 97W, is beginning to consolidate a few hundred miles west of Guam. A monsoon surge is expected to intensify significantly, bringing a higher likelihood for conditions across the entirety of the Marianas.

High Surf Advisory
Large breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet in the surf zone. Affecting the South and west facing reefs of the Marianas. From now until 6 PM Tuesday. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.

Small Craft Advisory
Strong winds can cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility. 6pm this Sunday evening until 6pm Monday evening.

Gale Watch
Monday morning to late Monday evening.

Hazardous Seas Watch
Strong winds can cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility. Monday morning to late Monday evening.

Flood Watch
Starting Sunday September 15, 2024 until Monday evening.

High Wind Watch
Very strong gusts could blow down tarps and canopies. Localized power bumps are possible. Travel could be difficult for high profile vehicles. Sustained winds of at least 40 mph, or gusts to 58 mph or stronger, may occur. Now until late Monday evening.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense remind residents to monitor official channels for updates and changes.

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 Acting Public Information Officer Stephen Cahill at (671) 489-9517 or via email at stephen.cahill@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.