Tropical Storm Watch in Effect for Guam and Rota; Take Necessary Precautions

At 8 a.m., the National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office Guam, issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Guam and Rota as a tropical depression forms south-southeast of Guam.

A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions, including damaging winds are possible within the next 48 hours.

As of 7 a.m., the tropical depression was located 10.1 degrees north latitude and 145.8 degrees east longitude, about 240 miles south-southeast of Guam and 345 miles south of Saipan, with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph. It is expected to gradually intensify today and tonight, possibly becoming a tropical storm Wednesday morning.

The tropical depression is expected to continue in a slow motion to the northwest and will pass southwest of Guam Wednesday afternoon. Showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds will build across the Marianas tonight from south to north and continue through Thursday. Winds will increase to between 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph in heavier showers. The strongest winds will be felt farther south across Guam and Rota, decreasing slightly toward Tinian and Saipan. Rainfall amounts between 3 and 5 inches are possible.

Due to the uncertainty of exactly how close to Guam the tropical depression will pass, it is advised to take basic precautionary actions now. To prepare for any scenario, residents and visitors are advised to:
·Locate or prepare your emergency preparedness kits for your household
·Clear loose debris around your yard and store any items that may become airborne with heavy wind
·Gas your car and get fuel for your generators
·Stay up to date in the event there are changes with or updates to changes in Conditions of
Readiness
The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) remind all residents and visitors to practice extreme caution if traveling in these conditions in the coming days.

Monitor the latest advisory information through the following sites, especially if outdoor or marine activities are planned:

·           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) 478-0208 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.