Stay Out of the Waters; Hazardous Seas are Life Threatening

As Super Typhoon Yutu continues to move further away from the Marianas, hazardous sea conditions remain. The National Weather Service (NWS) – Guam Weather Forecast Office advised large northwest swell from Super Typhoon Yutu will continue to produce dangerous surf today and hazardous surf tonight through Saturday.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) caution the community to heed the warnings of NWS and to stay out of the water, including private businesses that operate water and water sport activities, for the safety of all.

A high surf warning is in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan, until 6 p.m. this evening. A high surf warning indicates that dangerous battering waves will pound the shoreline, resulting in life-threatening conditions. Rip currents will be deadly. Stay out of the water. Today, surf will be dangerous at 12 to 16 feet along west facing reefs and hazardous 8 to 10 feet along north facing reefs. Minor coastal inundation is possible along west facing shores.

A high surf advisory is in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan from 6 p.m. this evening to 6 p.m. Saturday. Tonight, surf will be hazardous at 10 to 14 feet along west facing reefs and 7 to 9 feet along north facing reefs. Avoid venturing near reefs and beaches, especially those facing west and north. Large breaking waves can knock you down and cause serious injuries. Strong rip currents will be life threatening. If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not swim directly against a rip current.

A small craft advisory is in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan coastal waters until 6 p.m. Saturday, meaning wind speeds of 21 knots to 33 knots are expected to produce wave conditions hazardous to small craft. Seas of 10 to 14 feet today, with the highest seas west of the islands, will produce hazardous conditions for operators of small craft. With seas as high as 14 feet, inexperienced mariners operating smaller vessels should postpone sailing.

Visit the following sites 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.

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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.