PUBLIC ADVISORY : Dangerous Surf and Rip Currents; Small Craft Advisory Remains in Effect

Dangerous surf, strong rip currents, and hazardous boating conditions remain in effect for Guam through Monday, August 10. Rip currents will be life-threatening.

Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid boating in hazardous conditions.

BEACH AND REEF CONDITIONS
Large breaking waves of 9 to 13 feet are expected along west- and north-facing reefs through 4:00 p.m. Monday, August 10.

A high risk of rip currents remains in effect along west-, north-, and east-facing reefs through Monday afternoon.

These conditions may cause dangerous swimming and surfing conditions, localized beach erosion, and rip currents capable of carrying even strong swimmers into deeper water.

MARINE CONDITIONS
A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for Guam and the Marianas coastal waters until 5:00 a.m. Monday, August 10.

West winds of 15 to 25 knots and combined seas of 9 to 11 feet will create hazardous conditions for small vessels. Combined seas are expected to grow another foot by early next week as another resurgence in the monsoon builds.

SAFETY GUIDANCE

Rip currents will be life-threatening. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.
If caught in a rip current, remain calm, float, and do not swim against it. Swim parallel to the shoreline if able. If you cannot escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid boating in hazardous conditions.

As the influence of Typhoon Dolphin on the monsoon pattern decreases, influence from Tropical Storm Chan-Hom and other disturbances will increase. This will keep surf elevated and above hazardous conditions along west- and north-facing reefs through the weekend.

Continue to monitor official forecasts and advisories:
National Weather Service Guam: weather.gov/gum
GHS/OCD: ghs.guam.gov

Media Contact:
Logan Reyes, Acting Public Information Officer
Guam Homeland Security / Office of Civil Defense
logan.reyes@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.