Tropical Depression Develops Between Yap and Koror; No Direct Threat for Marianas

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast office continues to monitor what is now Tropical Depression 02W.

As of 4 a.m., the tropical depression was located 8.1 degrees north latitude and 137.1 degrees east longitude, about 535 miles southwest of Guam. The system is moving northwest at 3 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. Tropical Depression 02W is expected to intensify during the day, and is likely to be a tropical storm late this morning or this afternoon.

Current forecast track shows the tropical depression is expected to drift northward today and tonight, then turn slowly northwest Thursday, taking it just west of Ngulu of Yap State around noon today. A tropical storm watch is in effect for Yap and Ngulu in Yap State.

The bands of showers associated with the system over Yap state look to remain south and west of the Marianas, though southern Guam waters could still see a bit of an increase over the weekend. Although there are no watches and warnings in effect for Guam, and no direct threat assessed for the Marianas at this time, the community is reminded to be prepared to take immediate action should the system take a more northward track.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), with partners from NWS will continue to monitor for effects on the region and provide updates.

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 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.