JIC Release No. 3 - Government and School Closures; Flight Cancellations - GHS OCD

The Government of Guam will be closed on Tuesday, October 8, 2019, as Super Typhoon Hagibis continues toward the Marianas. The Government of Guam, Guam Department of Education schools, Guam Community College, and University of Guam will remain closed until Condition of Readiness (COR) 4 is announced. DODEA and Catholic schools will also be closed on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office continues to monitor what is now Super Typhoon Hagibis. As of 4 p.m., Hagibis was located 15.5 degrees north latitude and 148.2 degrees east longitude, about 165 miles east of Saipan and 270 miles east-northeast of Guam. Super Typhoon Hagibis is moving west-northwest at 15 mph with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph.

Guam can expect damaging winds of 39 mph or more by early Tuesday morning. The maximum winds expected for northern Guam are between 40-50 mph. The maximum winds for southern Guam are 30-40 mph. At this time, destructive winds of 58 mph or more and typhoon force winds of 75 mph or more are not expected for Guam.

Strong thunderstorms are now affecting western Guam coastal waters. Strong thunderstorms capable of producing wind gusts up to 45 knots, torrential downpours, and frequent lightning are expected. Mariners can expect gusty winds up to 45 knots, locally higher waves, frequent lightning strikes, and visibility of less than a half mile due to torrential rains. Boaters should seek safe harbor immediately.

A typhoon warning remains in effect for Saipan, Tinian, Alamagan, and Pagan Islands, meaning typhoon conditions, including destructive winds of 74 mph or more, are expected later this evening. Damaging winds of 39 mph or more are expected soon.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Guam, Rota, and Agrihan islands, meaning tropical storm conditions, including damaging winds of 39 to 73 mph are expected tonight.

A flash flood watch is in effect for Guam through Tuesday afternoon, meaning conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Frequent locally heavy downpours can cause streams to overflow their banks and low-lying areas to flood quickly. There is potential for 3 to 5 inches of rain across Guam with locally heavier amounts.

The community is reminded to practice extreme caution if traveling in rainy conditions:

Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Immediately move to higher ground if flash flooding occurs. Water levels can rise rapidly and sweep people away. 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
Stay away from storm drains, culverts, creeks, and streams.
If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. If the water is moving, do not leave the car.
Avoid camping, parking, or hiking along streams, rivers, and creeks. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
Visit https://www.ready.gov/floods to learn more.

Flight Cancelations
Below is the list of canceled flights and destinations:

Jeju Air Flight No. 7C3105 originating from Incheon, Korea
Jeju Air Flight No. 7C3106 originating from Incheon, Korea
Jeju Air Flight No. 7C3153 originating from Pusan, Korea
Jeju Air Flight No. 7C3154 originating from Pusan, Korea
Philippine Air Flight No. PR110 originating from Manila, Philippines
Philippine Air Flight No. PR111 originating from Manila, Philippines
United Airlines Flight No. UA117 originating from Saipan, CNMI

Contact your airline carrier for the latest travel information.

Stay up to date with 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/

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.

JIC Release No. 3 - Government and School Closures; Flight Cancellations