Developing Tropical Disturbance expected to pass through Yap and Palau this weekend

Increased Winds and Showers Possible for the Marianas

The National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office, Tiyan, Guam, issued a special weather statement for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. A developing tropical disturbance located just northwest of Weno in Chuuk State, about 565 miles southeast of Guam and 605 miles southeast of Saipan, is now the subject of a tropical cyclone formation alert issued by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center this morning.

NWS advises the current model consensus suggests the disturbance will continue to develop and track generally westward over the next several days, across western Chuuk and eastern Yap states today through Friday night, and then western Yap state and the Republic of Palau this weekend.

Although there is no direct effect to Guam and the Marianas from the disturbance, there is still uncertainty on the actual track and strength of the disturbance as it passes through Yap state and the Republic of Palau this weekend.

For the Marianas, much of the activity will pass south of the local area although it will increase winds and shower activity. NWS advises latest model guidance shows showers and thunderstorms increasing tonight and persisting through Friday night. Northeast winds of 10 to 20 mph today and tonight will become breezy at 15 to 25 mph Friday and Friday night. Gusts to 35 mph could occur in heavier showers. Increasing winds and waves will be hazardous to small craft on Friday and Friday night. Seas and surf may increase and generate high rip current risk on north and east facing reefs.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), with guidance from NWS, will continue to monitor all systems in our area closely.

Residents and visitors are advised to monitor current conditions by visiting the following links for the latest advisory information:

NWS Website: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/
NWS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSGuam/?fref=ts
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.