System Upgraded to a Tropical Depression; Watches in Effect

System Upgraded to a Tropical Depression; Watches in Effect

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office continue to monitor what is now Tropical Depression 20W as it forms north-northeast of Pohnpei.

NWS has issued a typhoon watch for Alamagan in the far Northern Mariana Islands, meaning typhoon conditions, including destructive winds of 74 mph or more, are possible within 48 hours.

Additionally, a tropical storm watch is in effect for Rota, Tinian, Saipan, Pagan, and Agrihan, meaning tropical storm conditions, including damaging winds of 39 mph or more, are possible within 48 hours, around Monday afternoon.

There are no watches in effect for Guam at this time but this can change. The community is reminded to be ready to take preparedness actions if there is a change in the system’s track, posing more of a threat to the island.

As of 7 p.m. this evening, 20W was located 15.3 degrees north latitude and 160.3 degrees east longitude, about 970 miles east of Saipan and 1,045 miles east of Guam. The system is moving west at 17 mph with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph.

NWS advised model guidance maintains a westward motion to bring the circulation through the Marianas between Saipan and Agrihan Monday night or Tuesday.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) will continue to monitor the system closely with guidance from NWS and provide updates as needed. The community is advised to heed any additional advisories in the coming days and be prepared to take action, if needed.
Stay up to date with the latest advisory information in the coming days:

· 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.