Press Release: Tropical Storm Bebinca (14W) Moves Away from Guam; Guam remains in COR 3

Tropical Depssion Bebinca (14W) has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm and is 55 miles west of Guam, moving northwest at 13mph. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan. Tropical storm conditions, including winds at least 39 mph, are expected through the rest of the morning, then may slowly decrease this afternoon. Heavy rain and gusty winds will be slow to decrease due to the monsoon flow east and south of Tropical Storm Bebinca.

At this time, Guam remains in Condition of Readiness (COR) 3. At COR 3, Government of Guam remains open and employees are expected to report to work today, Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

Residents are advised to be cautious when driving on roads due to inclement weather as crews from Guam Power Authority, Department of Public Works, and Mayor’s offices are working in flood prone and outage areas to restore operations.

Tropical Storm Bebinca (14W) is forecast to intensify over the next few days and may possibly become a typhoon by Friday as it continues to move away from the Marianas.

An intermediate advisory will be issued by the National Weather Service at 1100 AM ChST followed by the next scheduled advisory at 200 PM ChST.

Guam still has active Tropical Storm Warning, High Surf Warning, Coastal Flood Advisory, and Flood Watch in effect. Residents are reminded to monitor official channels for updates and changes to this organic and developing weather phenomenon.

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.