Tropical Storm Cimaron Continues to Strengthen; Avoid the Water and Avoid Driving through Flooded Roadways

The National Weather Service (NWS) – Guam Weather Forecast Office, continue to monitor Tropical Storm Cimaron as it moves northwest. Tropical Storm Cimaron continues to strengthen this morning, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.  It is forecasted to pass just north of Agrihan Island early Tuesday morning.

The tropical storm watch for Saipan and Tinian has been upgraded to a tropical storm warning.  Tropical storm force winds are expected at Saipan and Tinian this afternoon.

A typhoon warning remains in effect for Agrihan, Pagan, and Alamagan, Northern Mariana Islands.  Destructive winds of 74 mph or more are expected for the Northern Mariana Islands Monday afternoon or evening.

For Guam and Rota, a large rain band will bring rain, locally heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms for much of the day. Wet and windy conditions are expected to continue through Tuesday.

The Department of Public Works has been proactive in working with the village Mayors, especially in the southern villages to clear any areas prone to flooding.

A flash flood watch remains in effect through Tuesday evening for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.  Heavy rain will continue over the islands, with expected rainfall of 4 to 8 inches, with locally heavier amounts.

Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action.  The following are basic flood safety tips to keep in mind:

Clear drainage areas and un-block clogged storm drains around your property.
Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground.
If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.

Visit https://www.ready.gov/floods to learn more.

A small craft advisory remains in effect for Guam and Rota coastal waters until 10 p.m. Tuesday. Winds of 19 to 29 mph with gusts to 34 mph and waves of 7 to 11 are expected, causing conditions that are hazardous to small craft. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid sailing in these conditions.

A high surf advisory and high risk of rip currents is in effect until 6 a.m. Wednesday for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. Surf will increase from 7 to 9 feet to between 9 and 11 feet by tonight along west facing reefs, producing localized beach erosion and dangerous swimming conditions. There is a high risk of rip currents. If caught in a rip current, remain calm and yell for help. If swimming out of a rip current, swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), out of an abundance of caution, advise the community to stay out of the waters until the hazardous conditions subside. If driving, be alert for poor visibilities and water covering the road. Seek shelter if lightning is seen or thunder is heard.

Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:

NWS Website: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/
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

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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.